Bahrain-UAE Joint High Committee convenes

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, met with the United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, stressing the deep-rooted brotherly relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, which are based on solid foundations of cordiality, respect, kinship, and their common destiny.

His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, stressed the strength of relations between the two countries and the two brotherly peoples, expressing his pride and appreciation for the prosperous distinguished brotherly relations between the two countries at all levels.

The Joint High Committee between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates convened, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in the presence of the President of Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, and the Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development of the UAE, Noura bint Mohammed Al-Kaabi.

Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa affirmed in his speech that communication and cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates is the embodiment and continuation of the great approach taken by the founding fathers who established it themselves and used their own will and strong determination to consolidate the solid foundations of these close brotherly relations. These relations have become a model for cohesion and unity among brothers, thanks to the generous care and the constant attention of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and his brother, President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, he said.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out that the meeting of the Joint High Committee is merely a reflection for the long historical journey of brotherly relations between the two countries on so many levels. The relations between the two countries are continuously developing and have taken a common approach to serve the interests of the two countries and enhance their regional and international role, he added.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture & Research of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development of the United Arab Emirates to celebrate the centennial of Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Muharraq City as the capital of Islamic culture, with the goal to support the rehabilitation of a number of heritage houses in the Kingdom of Bahrain, which confirms the depth of historical relations between the two countries, and their common interest in preserving the historical and cultural heritage.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE, His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, expressed his gratitude and appreciation for his counterpart, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and all members of the Bahraini side for their hospitality and organization of the Joint High Committee’s work. He also added that the High Joint Committee embodies the historical relation between the kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates which has a special place in the heart of every Emirati, since the days of the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the late Emir Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, who helped in establishing these distinguished relations.

His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed that the two countries are bound by a common destiny. He also noted that the United Arab Emirates follows the economic policies of the Kingdom of Bahrain, commending the wise policy of His Majesty the King, which enabled the Kingdom of Bahrain to overcome the global economic crisis. He also called on the private sector to promote joint action that develops the direct investment between the two countries, noting the participation of the Kingdom of Bahrain at Expo 2020.

In addition to that, His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan invited the Minister of Foreign Affairs and members of the Committee to visit the United Arab Emirates to hold the next session of the Committee next year.

Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan signed the minutes of the Joint High Committee meeting and a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding on various aspects of joint cooperation between the two countries.

Furthermore, Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa and Minister Noura bint Mohammed Al-Kaabi signed a MoU between the Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture & Research of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development of the United Arab Emirates.

The following statement was issued following the meeting:

According to the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to strengthen cooperation and coordination between the two countries in all fields, and based on the historic fraternal ties and the relations of kinship between the people of the two countries as well as their common destiny, and at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, visited the Kingdom of Bahrain on 29-30 October, 2018.

The 8th meetings of the Joint High Committee were held on Monday and Tuesday, corresponding to October 29-30, 2018, under the chairman of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with the participation of several officials from the two countries.

The two sides reviewed the distinguished bilateral relations between them in various fields, and hailed the positive resulted achieved following the 7th meeting of committee as well as and the constructive measures taken to enhance cooperation and coordination to serve common interests of the two countries. The two sides also affirmed their keenness to further develop their relations in all fields, which resulted in signing a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding including:

1. Agreement on the international land transport of passengers and goods between the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

2. Memorandum of Understanding between the Institute of Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Emirates Diplomatic Academy in the United Arab Emirates.

3. Memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of social insurance between the Social Insurance Organisation in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the General Authority for Pensions and Social Insurance in the United Arab Emirates.

4. Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation between the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

5. Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of higher education between the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

6. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of consumer protection between the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

7. Memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the fields of electricity and water between the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

8. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Central Bank of Bahrain and the Abu Dhabi Global Market.

9. Memorandum of Understanding on the field of urban planning and development of urban communities between the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

10. Memorandum of Understanding on tourism cooperation between the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

The two sides signed the minutes of the meeting, which included means to enhance cooperation in a number of other vital areas.

Another memorandum of understanding between the Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research and the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development in the United Arab Emirates to celebrate the centennial of Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Muharraq City as the capital of Islamic culture.

The two sides also expressed their aspiration to activate the signed agreements, and to sign new memorandums of understanding and work programs in the coming periods in order to strengthen their cooperation in line with their joint action mechanisms.

The two sides also reviewed a number of Arab, Islamic, regional and international issues of common concern. They stressed the importance of continuing coordination between the two countries to face all challenges. They also affirmed their firm stance that supports the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in its wise policies and efforts to confront the various threats that target the international community, particularly extremism and terrorism. They expressed their total rejection of all attempts to harm the fundamental and leading role of Saudi Arabia in preserving regional and international security and peace.

The two sides also reiterated the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates over its three islands (Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa), calling the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond to the UAE's efforts to resolve the issue either through direct negotiations or by resorting to the Court of International Justice.

They affirmed their absolute rejection of Iran's blatant and repeated interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain and other Arab countries, and condemned Iran's support of terrorist groups and their funding to threaten security and stability in the region. They stressed the need for Iran to commit to the principles and provisions of international law and the UN Charter regarding the non-interference in the internal affairs of states and respecting their sovereignty and independence, as well as committing to the principles of good neighborly relations, refraining from the use of force and threats which increase the tensions of the region. The UAE side affirmed its support to all measures taken by the Kingdom of Bahrain to preserve its stability and security.

The two sides also affirmed their commitment to participate in the Arab Coalition Supporting Legitimacy in Yemen with the aim of restoring security and peace in Yemen and assisting the brotherly Yemeni people in all fields, as well as reaching a political solution with the participation of all Yemeni people according to the Gulf Initiative and its mechanisms, the outcomes of the National Dialogue and Security Council Resolution 2216.

The two sides also stressed that the Arab Peace Initiative is the optimal way to end the Arab-Israeli conflict and achieve the desired peace.