Bahrain affirms unwavering keenness to work with UAE and Chinese partners in fight against COVID-19

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The ongoing pandemic has created opportunities for new types of stronger cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and other Asian countries in supporting international vaccination efforts.

The Kingdom has affirmed its unwavering keenness to continuously work with the UAE and Chinese partners particularly in joint efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

 This was emphasised by the Cabinet chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, during its weekly meeting, held remotely, yesterday.

The Cabinet commended broad and ongoing coordination and cooperation with the UAE, including joint efforts to fight the deadly respiratory virus, and collaboration within Phase III clinical trials.

It also noted China’s important role, alongside others, in supporting international vaccination efforts.

Bahrain and the UAE began inoculating their populations in mid-December last year.

The two countries’ campaigns to vaccinate their citizens and residents marked a significant vote of confidence in the Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine and opened a new chapter of close cooperation with China.

The Cabinet reviewed the Kingdom’s ongoing national vaccination campaign, noting the arrival of a large number of vaccines in March to be used in protecting the safety and health of everyone.

The Cabinet also welcomed the recent bilateral talks held between His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic, including their role in further enhancing cooperation and coordination across areas of shared interest.

It commended the positive outcomes of HRH the Crown Prince’s meeting with the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, during his visit to Saudi Arabia.

During the session, the Cabinet also discussed and outlined several memorandums.

It included the approval of a memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding changes to the patent system for the GCC countries, adopted at a recent Gulf Cooperation Council Summit.

The system aims to develop legislation and a unified legal framework within the patent system.

Also approved was a memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding an MoU on political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, which aims to strengthen bilateral relations across political, economic, cultural and scientific fields, and other areas of common interest.