Bahrain-Philippine cooperation discussed

Manama, Apr.25 (BNA): The Undersecretary for International Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, met at the Ministry’s General Court today, the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs at the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, Sarah Lou Y. Arriola, currently on visit to Bahrain.

Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa welcomed the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs at the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, which coincides with the celebrations of over four decades of establishing diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries.

The two sides also discussed ways to enhance and develop bilateral relations and joint cooperation in various fields, as well as exchanging views on the current regional and international developments of mutual concern.

Dr. Shaikh Abdullah stated that both countries share mutual interest, due to the fact that they share strategic areas of trade and global stability, namely the Gulf Cooperation Council and ASEAN, and their mutual commitment to the basic values of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue.

Dr. Shaikh Abdullah highlighted the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of prioritizing the Asian dimension, which emerged in the supreme vision presented to the GCC countries in 2009 and stressed the importance of developing and initiating Gulf relations with ASEAN in particular and Asian relations in general.

He also mentioned the selection of Manama as the first capital of Asian tourism in 2014 in the context of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to promote cultural and civilizational diversity and deepen the bonds of cooperation and friendship among peoples.

Dr. Shaikh Abdullah described the relations between the two countries as “close and evolving” and has promising and diverse opportunities, noting that Bahrain’s economic vision 2030 has strengthened the national economy as a major center for the new technology sectors, logistics, and entrepreneurship.

This is reflected in the diversification of sources of income and the attraction of quality investments, pointing out that the Kingdom of Bahrain will host the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in 2019.

Dr. Shaikh Abdulla expressed his appreciation at the advanced course of bilateral relations, which witnessed an important shift after the visit of the President of the Philippines to the Kingdom of Bahrain in April last year.

He also praised the outcome of the signing of MoUs, to activate cooperation in many fields such as: avoidance of double taxation, regulation of air transport services and diplomatic cooperation, commending in this context the active role of the Filipino community and its outstanding contributions to the development process in the Kingdom.

Dr. Shaikh Abdullah affirmed the importance of concerted efforts and partnership in the fight against trafficking in persons, stressing that the Kingdom of Bahrain is a pioneering model in this regard and seeks to implement the highest international standards, inspired by human values, human rights, and in line with the principles of the reform approach of His Majesty the King.

These efforts also resulted in enormous and comprehensive achievements and gains to strengthen the rule of law and institutions, achieve stability and sustainable development, in addition to taking practical measures within the framework of a national plan of action to combat this phenomenon.

Many establishments took place such as a specialized unit for trafficking crimes, the launch of a 24-hour hotline to receive communications, the provision of psychological support, the management of shelters for victims and others.

Dr. Shaikh Abdullah stressed the importance of joint international action to combat terrorism in all its forms and eliminate its sources of funding, deter some countries from sponsoring terrorist organizations and interfere in the internal affairs of the countries of the region.

For her part, the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs at the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs expressed her country’s aspiration for further bilateral and international cooperation with the Kingdom of Bahrain, praising the Kingdom’s involvement in protecting and guaranteeing human rights and safeguarding rights and freedoms, especially foreign labor, wishing the Kingdom of Bahrain continued progress and prosperity.