Bahraini Foreign Minister: Bahrain-France Summit Strengthens Strategic Partnership and Consolidates Peace and Security

Manama, October 20 (KUNA) -- Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani affirmed on Tuesday his country’s pride in King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s leadership of the official visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, describing it as a qualitative addition to the trajectory of historical cooperation, friendship, and the strategic partnership built on solid foundations of mutual trust and respect, converging visions, shared interests, and joint efforts toward a more secure, peaceful, and prosperous future.

The Bahrain News Agency reported that Minister Al Zayani praised the success of the Bahrain-France summit and its fruitful outcomes, which reflected the commitment of the leaderships and governments of both countries to broaden the horizons of their strategic partnership by activating agreements and memoranda of understanding signed between them in the fields of defense, security, and energy, as well as the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs concerning cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

The agency explained that this memorandum aims to enhance the skills and competencies required to develop a civilian nuclear program and ensure its sustainability through appropriate training programs, while also opening broader avenues for the exchange of scientific, technical, and expertise, particularly in light of the success of the first International Space Summit in Paris. It also seeks to strengthen economic, investment, and industrial cooperation in a manner that serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples.

According to the statement, Al Zayani commended the Bahraini king’s conferral of the Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa Order, First Class, upon President Macron, in appreciation of his efforts to consolidate the historical relations between the two countries, his wise approach in supporting regional and international security and peace, and his pride in the sincere French positions of solidarity with the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, as well as their support for their sovereignty, security, and stability, and their backing of just Arab causes. He also highlighted the shared commitment to upholding human values and consolidating a culture of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence, which was embodied in French support for the Bahraini initiative that was endorsed by the United Nations through the adoption of the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence.

He highlighted France’s pivotal role under President Macron and its contributions, in cooperation with the United States, friendly and allied nations, and the international community, in enhancing regional and international security and stability. He commended France’s support for UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which condemned Iran’s despicable attacks on the Kingdom of Bahrain and GCC states, as well as its positions rejecting Houthi terrorist attacks on the sister Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He also praised France’s active efforts in protecting vital waterways and ensuring freedom of maritime navigation and the safety of international trade in accordance with international law, thereby reinforcing global peace and security.

He noted the Kingdom of Bahrain’s keenness to deepen coordination with France on regional and international issues, foremost among them the Palestinian issue, to establish a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution and resolutions of international legitimacy, particularly in light of both countries’ membership in the UN Security Council, the Kingdom’s presidency of the current GCC Council of Ministers session, and France’s role in the European Union. (End) K.N.A. / A.S.