Syed Hussein Al -Qassab
Photography by Suhail Minister
At a prominent diplomatic station, the Kingdom of Bahrain received the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, President Dr. Ahmed Al -Shara, on an official visit that establishes a new stage of bilateral relations between the two countries, and embodies the depth of the strong historical and fraternal ties.
An extensive official discussion session was held between the two sides, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
During a joint press conference, the Bahraini Foreign Minister d. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al -Zayani, that this visit represents an important historical station in the path of relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Syrian Arab Republic, noting that the discussions that took place reflected the depth of historical brotherly relations that bring together the two countries.
He explained that during the talks, ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and develop it in multiple fields that include trade, civil aviation, energy, health, and education were discussed to serve common interests, and benefit the two brotherly peoples.
He added: “We also reviewed the developments of the situation in Syria, and the efforts made by the Syrian leadership to enhance security and stability, and to preserve the unity of the Syrian lands and the cohesion of its national fabric in all its spectrums, while emphasizing the importance of meeting the aspirations of the Syrian people in a decent life.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs also conveyed the assertion of His Majesty the King, His Excellency the Syrian President, to support Bahrain for the stability, sovereignty, independence, unity and integrity of its territory, and to support its efforts to bring security and peace and restore its active role regionally and internationally, including Bahrain’s support to lift the economic sanctions imposed on Syria, to achieve the aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people.
Al -Zayani pointed out that His Majesty praised the steps made by the new Syrian leadership on the path of promoting national cohesion and promoting the unity of the Syrian ranks.
Al -Zayani also stressed the importance of the outputs of the Bahrain Summit hosted by the Kingdom, and its role in promoting Arab solidarity, and supporting efforts to bring comprehensive peace and consultation between Arab countries in facing regional challenges, wishing success to the upcoming summit in Baghdad in enhancing Arab cooperation and integration.
He pointed out that His Majesty the King directed to continue joint work and continue to consult at all levels, review the agreements and memoranda of understanding concluded, and exchange efforts and opportunities that would enhance brotherly relations between the two countries.
For his part, the Syrian Foreign Minister, Dr. Al -Shaibani made the noble positions of the Kingdom of Bahrain, indicating that Bahrain was one of the first countries to support Syria in its ordeal, and presented a helping hand to its people, praising the message that His Majesty sent the great king to the Syrian President, which he described as carrying the highest meanings of brotherhood and solidarity.
Al -Shaibani stressed that this is a milestone in which we plan a new page towards a bright future, and since the first days of the liberation of Syria, the Kingdom of Bahrain did not hesitate to extend a helping hand to the Syrian people in order to restore their freedom, adding that previous experiences proved that Arab cooperation is the only way to face challenges and achieve the aspirations of peoples.
He explained that Syria views the future with hope, and seeks to enhance its regional relations, foremost of which is its relationship with the Kingdom of Bahrain, as part of a comprehensive vision of economic and investment integration and meeting the aspirations of peoples.
The Syrian Foreign Minister stressed that the relationship between Syria and Bahrain goes beyond political interests, to roar in the ties of Arabism and the common vision of an Arab future based on sovereignty, independence and sustainable development.
He noted the role of Bahrain as an active partner in the reconstruction phase in Syria, calling for more Bahraini initiatives in the fields of education, economy and other sectors that contribute to reviving the Syrian economy, noting the importance of activating the ways of communication between official institutions, in order to establish a strong base for future cooperation.
Al -Shaibani reiterated the call to lift the economic sanctions imposed on Syria, considering that these sanctions have harmed the lives of citizens, hindered the efforts of reconstruction, and that lifting it represented a humanitarian and regional necessity, because the dismantling of the unity of Syria opens the doors of conflicts and sedition, and restores sectarianism that threatens the security and stability of the country and the region.
He affirmed Syria’s commitment to enhancing institutional communication and cooperation, encouraging partnerships between the public and private sectors, and increasing cultural exchange in a way that enhances relations between the two peoples, saying: “Syria’s stability is reflected positively on the security of the region and reduces the levels of poverty.”
At the end of his speech, Al -Shaibani expressed his confidence that the wise orientations of His Majesty and the support of His Highness the Prime Minister will contribute to strengthening the fraternal partnership and the return of relations to all areas of joint action, hoping that Bahraini -Syrian relations will witness more power and prosperity.
