Manama, Jan. 21 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has reiterated Bahrain’s keenness on strengthening cooperation ties with Russia, being closer to GCC countries than other continental blocs, and due to its status as an international power with a considerable political and economic weight, and plays a “positive” role in consolidating global security and stability and combating terrorism.
HRH the Prime Minister lauded the stances of friendly Russian towards efforts to achieve security and stability in the Middle East region. He also praised Russia’s interest in bolstering relations with the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
HRH Premier underlined the importance of enhancing Bahraini-Russian cooperation in various fields, given the two countries’ friendship, mutual understanding and joint coordination vis-à-vis regional and international issues, which, he said, can lead to a strong and fruitful partnership between them.
The Prime Minister made the statements while receiving at his Palace in Riffa today Victor Zubcov, the Special Representative of the Russian President Vladimir Putin for Cooperation with Gas Exporting Countries Forum, and Chairman of the Gazprom Board of Directors, currently on a visit to the Kingdom.
HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa welcomed the visit of the Russian official to the kingdom, and highlighted the importance of the visit in developing bilateral cooperation and opening up new horizons for joint relations to meet the aspirations of the two countries and their friendly peoples, affirming Bahrain’s desire to boost relations with all countries of the world on the basis of bilateral cooperation, mutual respect and shared interests.
“Bahrain is developing its relations with friendly Russian according to a strategic vision, and is keen on bolstering cooperation with it in the economic, trade and energy fields to meet the aspirations of the two friendly peoples,” he said.
HRH Premier called for the need to intensify visits of senior officials from the two countries in order to open new horizons of bilateral cooperation and consolidate joint understanding on various issues of mutual concern.
The challenges the global economy is currently going through require more coordination and understanding among various countries in order to reach a new formula of economic cooperation that protects countries and peoples from economic downturns and maintain their comprehensive development efforts, the Premier added.
The Russian President’s Special Envoy expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to HRH Premier for the hospitality and warm welcome accorded to him, lauding his keenness and interest in enhancing bilateral cooperation. He also praised the Prime Minister’s sound visions towards all regional and international issues.
He voiced admiration for the Premier’s visions and ideas on ways to strengthen joint economic and investment cooperation in all sectors, especially oil and gas, reiterating his country’s keenness on broadening areas of cooperation with the kingdom, being a major partner in the region with whom Russia shares a great understanding on many political, economic and trade fields.
Source: Bahrain Agency News