Bahrain, Russia enjoy strong ties

Manama : Bahrain and Russia enjoy strong bilateral ties, thanks to the distinguished relations between His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Russian President Vladimir Putin and clear understanding of each other’s interests, said a top Bahraini official. 

“This has resulted in an increased number of joint agreements covering various fields, the latest being the signing of a military-technical cooperation agreement between the two sides,” said Ali Al-Aradi, the First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, stressing the Council’s efforts to enhance the parliamentary cooperation at the members and Secretariat levels.

He further added that the establishment of a joint Bahraini-Russian business council would increase the volume of trade exchange.  Common interests of both countries include all areas of developed cooperation, such as industrial, financial, tourism, cultural exchange and military cooperation fields.

The comments were made during an official visit by a Bahraini parliamentary delegation to Russia from March 28 to 30. 

Citing Russia’s support for the quartet’s decision against Qatar, Al Aradi, during a meeting, told the Vice-President of the Russian State Duma that Bahrain values highly Russian position in condemning foreign interference in the internal affairs of Bahrain and rejecting any plans to destabilize its security and stability. 

During their stay, the delegation held discussions with several high-ranking Russian officials including Vice-President of the Russian State Duma, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov,  Deputy Secretary of the General Council of “United Russia”, and the Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation. 

The parliamentary delegation includes First Vice-Chairman of the Shura Council Jamal Fakhro, Second Vice-Chairman of the Shura Council Jamila Salman, MP Dr Jamila Al-Sammak, member Dr Saeed Abdullah, member Dr SawsanTaqwi, MP Mohamed Al-Jodar, and  Abdullah bin Khalaf Al-Dosari, Secretary-General of the Council of Representatives.

The Parliamentary delegation participated in the 202nd session of the Governing Council held in Geneva on 28 March, on the sidelines of the 138th Inter-Parliamentary Union.