On behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the king of the country, may God protect and preserve him, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Prime Minister, may God protect him, participated today in the work of the second summit between the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and the Association of Southeast Asian countries (Asian), in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, in the presence of His Majesty, His Highness and His Excellency the leaders of the delegations participating in the summit.
On the behalf of His Majesty, the King of the Great Country, may God protect and preserve him, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the Prime Minister, addressed a speech to the second summit between the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and the Association of Southeast Asian countries (Asian) This is its text:
His Majesty, His Highness and Excellency,
On behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, may God protect and preserve him, I am honored to address this second summit between the Cooperation and Asian Council.
We seize this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to Malaysia for the generosity of hospitality and the distinguished organization of this important meeting, and we also thank the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its pivotal role in hosting the opening summit in Riyadh, which established a strong basis for the sustainable partnership between the Cooperation Council for the Arab Gulf States and the Association of Southeast Asian countries (ASEAN).
Fifteen years ago, the Kingdom of Bahrain hosted the first ministerial meeting of the strategic dialogue between the countries of the Cooperation Council and the countries of Asian, announcing the beginning of a new and promising chapter in relations between the two regions.
What we united at the time, and continues to gather today, is the solid basis of common values, compatible interests, and common understanding that the current global challenges require unity, determination and universal power, and through this spirit, we transform the challenges into opportunities and pave the way towards stability and sustainable prosperity for all our citizens.
Since that founding meeting, the dialogue developed into practical steps, and the first summit between the Cooperation and Asian Council in Riyadh has shown the extent of progress we have achieved. After we started a preliminary dialogue, we have a strong partnership based on a common commitment to prosperity in the fields of trade, investment, interdependence, innovation and enhance ties between peoples.
Today, we see a real consensus in our vision of the future, whether in creating systems to enhance food security, develop sustainable tourism, or invest in human capital through education and research, and these are not just cooperation areas, but an embodiment of a common vision that puts empowerment of innovation and achievement to achieve long -term stability in the forefront of its priorities.
Also, the continuous and concrete progress that we see is achieved on reality has become a source of confidence in that our countries are moving in a steady pace towards achieving all we aspire to from our joint work.
His Highness and Excellency,
The challenges we face today from climate change, economic turmoil, and geopolitical tensions have increased complicated and intertwined and require immediate treatment.
However, in light of this confused global atmosphere, there are important indicators that call for optimism, as qualitative developments in the field of clean energy, progress in digital innovation, artificial intelligence and renewed determination of the international community, indications that the solutions are not only possible, but are already in implementation.
Therefore, our partnership is of great importance.
It is based on mutual respect, priorities, and a group of common values, the partnership of the Cooperation Council states and the countries of Asian represents a vivid model of the positive results that joint work can achieve. When countries choose cooperation instead of division, it enhances their ability to face global challenges.
The Kingdom of Bahrain remains fixed to its commitment to joint international work. In May last year, during the thirty -third Arab summit hosted by Bahrain, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the king of the country, may God protect and preserve him, called for an international peace conference in the Middle East, based on a firm belief that peace is achieved only through unity, dialogue and diplomacy, and we continue to invite the international community to support this initiative, which puts cooperation at the heart of conflict resolution efforts.
Bahrain also renews its full support for the joint cooperation plan between the Cooperation and Asian Council for the period 2024-2028, and supports the launch of the free trade agreement negotiations between the two sides. These initiatives provide a framework to enhance political, economic and cultural ties between our countries, and also represents an effective mechanism for joint action.
In this context, we welcomed the signing of the joint statement yesterday to launch the negotiations of the Free Trade Agreement between the Cooperation Council and Malaysia, in the presence of His Highness the Crown Prince of the sisterly State of Kuwait and the Prime Minister of Malaysia. This event is an important station towards enhancing regional integration and economic cooperation.
His Highness and Excellency,
When we held the first ministerial meeting between the countries of the Cooperation Council and the ASEAN countries in the Kingdom of Bahrain fifteen years ago, our primary goal was to enhance economic flexibility in light of a global financial crisis. Since then, the volume of trade exchange has doubled between our logic, and ties have been strengthened between our peoples.
When students study abroad, researchers and scholars exchange knowledge and celebrate and participate between cultures, our partnerships increase strength, durability and sustainability.
This human dimension must remain in cooperation between the countries of the Cooperation Council and the countries of Asyan at the heart of our common vision. By strengthening these links, we build a flexible, vibrant partnership, and ready for future requirements.
The way in front of us will not be without challenges, but by increasing cooperation between us, we will together draw a path towards a more secure and prosperous future for all.
Thanks.
