Bahrain, Indonesia ink visa exemption deal

Bahrain yesterday signed agreements with Indonesia for establishing a joint commission to further enhance the friendly cooperation and enforce mutual visa exemption. Foreign Affairs Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Retno Marsudi signed the deals at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The joint commission will serve as a mechanism to review all aspects of bilateral relations and exchange views on international issues of common concern. The visa mutual exemption deal is valid for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports. Separately, the minister held discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland, Simon Coveney, on the sidelines of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on enhancing bilateral cooperation.

Discussions to boost trade ties were also held with Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ine Eriksen Søreide, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, John Silk, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov.

Deal with Kenya

Shaikh Khalid signed a deal to establish a Joint Committee for Bilateral Cooperation with the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kenya, Monica Juma. A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed to enhance friendly relations and cooperation between the two sides.