MANAMA: His Royal Highness, Prime Minister, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, said the development and modernisation process in Bahrain would continue according to cope with the Kingdom’s needs in every phase of national work.
HRH Premier emphasised the importance of security and stability as a prerequisite for development.
“Bahrain is ushering in a new phase in its development process according to fundamentals guaranteeing security and stability,” Speaking to the French “Diplomatic Message” magazine, he asserted.
HRH the Premier said, pledging zero tolerance to any violations or transgression of the law. He added Bahrain will spare no effort in protecting hard-won gains, stressing that there will be no laxity in ensuring national security.
“Any attempt to undermine Bahrain’s stability by terrorising people and vandalism will be doomed to failure,” HRH the Prime Minister affirmed, pointing out the need for courage and wisdom to overcome major challenges facing the world and the whole region.
He also underlined the need to boost local, regional and international peace and stability by adopting strategies aimed at building national and regional capabilities to achieve forecast goals.
He pointed out that the drop in oil prices is not new as it was experienced by the region and the whole world on many occasions. He said Bahrain has taken many precautionary measures to minimise the effect of this decrease on its economy, especially while preparing the general budget.
“Bahrain is promoting the diversified economy policy out of awareness of the risks posed to the development process by relying on a sole source of revenues,” he noted, stressing the kingdom’s efforts to provide a favourable economic climate to lure foreign investments and boost citizens’ welfare.
HRH the Prime Minister paid tribute to the Bahraini people for their massive turnout in the recent parliamentary and municipal elections, stressing the open-door policy followed by the government with all citizens. He underscored the government’s keenness to ensure a secure climate for the elections, praising their remarkable success.
HRH the Premier warned of the danger of the extremist ideology and terrorism as well as plots of anarchy and vandalism aimed at destroying nations. “Terrorism has become a phenomenon no country in the world is immune of its danger and destructive repercussions on the future of the people and development,” he affirmed, criticising some countries’ support to the terror groups to serve their ends or those of their allies.
He urged joint international efforts to confront terrorism which, he said, is expanding in all directions. He reiterated Bahrain’s keenness to spare no effort in confronting this dangerous phenomenon alongside the international community, pointing out conferences and meetings hosted by the kingdom in this respect.
“Bahraini citizens are the goal and the means,” HRH the Premier stressed, criticising attempts to sow seeds of sedition and sectarianism among the Bahraini people. He also underscored the importance of inter-cultural and religious dialogue for the world to prosper, pointing out the outcome of the “All Civilisations in the Service of Humanity” conference hosted by Bahrain last May. “We are a country known for religious and cultural diversity,” he affirmed.
Concerning the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), HRH the Prime Minister described Bahrain’s initiative in setting up the committee per a royal ordinance as advanced and historic. The move, he said, came to reassert the kingdom’s keenness to reveal the truth transparently through an independent commission which brought together elite of international legal experts. He also highlighted Bahrain’s steps to carry out BICI recommendations.
HRH the Premier lauded the role of Bahraini women in fast-tracking development by taking up leading posts and contributing effectively to the national development momentum. He took pride in being honoured by the International Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW International), describing the award as an honour for all Bahrainis, particularly the Bahraini women.
HRH the Prime Minister described the GCC union as a necessity in the world of blocs and big entities, paying tribute to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud for his initiative in calling on the GCC countries to move from cooperation to union.
Regarding the Bahraini-Asian relations, HRH the Premier underlined solid ties with the Asian countries, pointing out continuous cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
As for the Free Trade Agreement with the European Union, HRH affirmed that negotiations had taken a long time regarding the agreement. He also stressed the importance of further cooperation between the GCC countries and the EU.
Concerning the Bahraini-Iranian relations, HRH the Prime Minister said that Bahrain has always seen Iran as a Muslim neighbour state, demanding Iran to adhere to the principles of good neighbourliness and no interference in other countries’ internal affairs.
HRH the Premier commended strong relations of friendship and cooperation between Bahrain and France, underlining the key role of France in maintaining international security and stability.