Building bonds of friendship

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, yesterday met with Giuseppe Conte, Prime Minister of the Italian Republic, at the Palazzo Chigi in Rome. During the meeting, HRH the Crown Prince conveyed HM the King and HRH the Prime Minister’s wishes of progress and prosperity for the Italian Republic and its people.

HRH the Crown Prince noted that bilateral ties continue to move from strength to strength under the leadership of HM the King, as evidenced by high-level exchanges and the inauguration of Bahrain’s Embassy in Rome.  HRH the Crown Prince recognised economic and trade ties as the cornerstone of bilateral relations, underscoring that these ties and the agreements that will be signed during the visit will continue to boost shared prosperity far beyond the borders of both nations.

Later, HRH the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister then exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern. A number of senior officials from HRH’s official delegation also attended the meeting. Earlier during the day, HRH the Crown Prince officially inaugurated the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Rome, Italy. HRH the Crown Prince noted that the inauguration of Bahrain’s Embassy marks a new milestone in bilateral relations, which have continually deepened over the past 50 years.

HRH the Crown Prince identified Bahrain’s Embassy in Rome as a new platform for collaboration, noting that the mission would promote a stronger trading partnership between the two countries. His Royal Highness went on to highlight the concerted efforts of Bahrain’s diplomatic engagements and Bahraini diplomats, which expand the Kingdom’s international network, strengthen cooperation with friendly nations and drive national development.

HRH the Crown Prince concluded by underlining the Kingdom’s determination to work closely with its Italian partners to broaden collaboration at all levels. Later, HRH the Crown Prince unveiled a commemorative plaque, marking the official opening of the Embassy. HRH the Crown Prince’s official delegation, Ambassador Elisabetta Belloni, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of the Italian Republic, and a number of Italian officials, also attended the inauguration ceremony.

Separately, HRH the Crown Prince met His Holiness Pope Francis at the Apostolic Palace, in the Vatican City State. During the meeting, HRH the Crown Prince conveyed HM King Hamad’s greetings, wishing the Vatican City State continued progress and prosperity. HRH the Crown Prince emphasised that Bahrain’s development is closely aligned with the Kingdom’s deep-rooted values of diversity and co-existence, principles that ensure unity in the Kingdom’s multicultural society.

HRH the Crown Prince noted that growing bilateral ties with the Vatican City State stand as a testament to HM King Hamad’s determination to promote peaceful coexistence, underlining the Kingdom’s commitment to interfaith dialogue. HRH the Crown Prince commended Pope Francis for spreading the message of peace and coexistence, noting that these principles are building blocks through which societies can thrive.