Foreign Minister discusses various international issues

TDT| Manama

Foreign Minister, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani attended video conferences to discuss various crucial international issues yesterday. Among these were two Arab League Council sessions on Libya and on the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. He also attended a ministerial level conference for donors to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

Arab League Council session on Libya Addressing the virtual session on Libya, he said that the current situation is regrettable and worrying, reflecting the state of division in the Arab world. He emphasized that regional polarization and international conflicts have a negative impact on Libya, its people, neighbouring countries and Arab national security.

He stressed Bahrain’s support to the unity, territorial integrity and stability of Libya, backing all efforts aimed at rebuilding the Libyan state while actively tackling forms of terrorism. Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Addressing the second remote session regarding the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, he said that it represents a major challenge to Arab water security, an essential to maintain Arab national security.

He underlined the risks and potential impact of operating the dam without reaching a fair and balanced agreement with Ethiopia on the rules for filling the dam. Dr Al Zayani affirmed Bahrain’s rejection of any violation of the historical rights of Egypt and Sudan in the waters of the Nile River, and urged Arab-Arab solidarity against this challenge, which affects Egypt and Sudan.

Palestinian Refugees He urged the international community to build a peaceful, comprehensive, fair and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue, which will guarantee the rights of the Palestinians as stipulated in the UN resolutions.

He affirmed Bahrain’s appreciation of the UNRWA-led role in supporting Palestinian refugees and providing relief and development aid to nearly five million people in the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

“Bahrain has been a permanent contributor to UNRWA’s core programs since 2000 through the Royal Humanitarian Foundation”, said Dr Al Zayani, regarding many development projects established in the Gaza Strip Phone call with Azerbaijani counterpart The Foreign Minister also received a phone call from his Azerbaijani counterpart, Elmar Mammadyarov yesterday.

They both stressed their keenness to bolster cooperation between the two friendly countries and people. They also reviewed efforts to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and discussed regional and international is- Dr Al Zayani sues.