HM King accords Moroccan leader a majestic welcome

Manama : His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa welcomed King Mohammed VI of Morocco on his arrival on an official visit to Bahrain, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid.

Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, also welcomed the Moroccan leader at Bahrain International Airport. 

After a brief pause at the VIP lounge, the two leaders headed to Al Sakhir Palace as school students, citizens and musical bands rallied to salute the Moroccan King. 

The motorcade proceeded through the avenues adorned by the flags of the two countries. 

An official ceremony was then held at Al Sakhir Palace as the musical band played the national anthems of Morocco and Bahrain. The two leaders held official talks, in the presence of Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Prince Salman. 

HM the King hailed King Mohammed’s visit to Bahrain, which reflects solid relations binding the two countries. 

In a session of talks attended by the two delegations, the two sides reviewed long-standing historic relations and ways of further boosting bilateral ties joint cooperation. 

King Hamad reiterated Bahrain’s support to Morocco’s territorial integrity and rejection of all encroachment on any inch of its territories, firmly backing Moroccan efforts to settle the dispute over Western Sahara. 

The two leaders hailed the positive results of the GCC-Moroccan Summit held in Riyadh last week, affirming strong relations between the GCC countries and Kingdom of Morocco. 

HM the King commended the dedicated efforts of the Moroccan leader, as chairman of the OIC Al-Quds Committee, in support of the Palestinian people’s inalienable rights.

The two leaders discussed the developments unfolding in Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya, stressing the need to muster all Arab and international efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism.

They slammed blatant Iranian interference, which subverts the security of Bahrain, GCC states and Arab countries, by meddling in their internal affairs and supporting terrorism. 

The two leaders agreed to develop cooperation in the field of Islamic endowments, religious institutes, the judiciary, education and academic programmes. 

The Moroccan leader thanked HM the King for the warm welcome and generous hospitality, hailing his keenness on strengthening bilateral relations on all levels. 

King Hamad and King Mohammed VI then attended the signing of two protocols and an executive cooperation between the two countries. 

Finance Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and Moroccan Minister of Economy and Finance, Mohammed Bousaid, co-signed a protocol amending an agreement signed on April 7, 2000, on avoidance of double taxation and fiscal evasion. 

Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa and Moroccan Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Ahmed Al Tawfiq signed an executive cooperation programme for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018. 

Shaikh Khalid and Moroccan Minister of Justice and Liberties, Mustafa Ramid, signed a cooperation protocol between Bahrain’s Judicial and Legal Studies Institute (JLSI) and Moroccan Institut Superieure de La Magistrature.

King Hamad and King Mohammed VI hailed the signing of the protocols and the executive programme, which they consider as a starting point to further boost joint relations. 

HM the King hosted a dinner banquet in honour of King Mohammed VI of Morocco and the accompanying delegation.