Terrorist attacks by missiles & drones, cyber-attack, media & violent extremism are challenges faced by GCC nations: Bahrain

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, today chaired the 38th meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)’s Interior Ministers.

The meeting was held in Bahrain, with the participation of GCC Secretary-General, Dr Nayef bin Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf.

Interior Minister welcomed the officials and delivered the following speech:

“I want to start my speech by thanking my dear brother, His Highness the United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Lieutenant- General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the head of the previous session, for his efforts in promoting regional security cooperation.

I'm also glad to thank the brother GCC Secretary-General, Dr Nayef bin Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf and the Secretariat General for the good preparations and follow up. 

I express gratitude to chairing the meeting that comes within the framework of implementing the directives and inspirations of Their Majesties and Highnesses GCC leaders to achieve the targeted security goals.

Fortunately, holding this in-person meeting in the Kingdom of Bahrain is a result of the significant efforts of countries to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and the protection of health and general safety. 

Your Highnesses and Excellencies,

GCC countries' stability, growth, and development are because of their wise leaders and sincerity of people. Such a fact is a source of pride and gratitude.

The meeting and its previous preparatory meetings by concerned security committees provide an opportunity to know the latest security happenings, challenges and developments, such as the terrorist attacks by missiles and drones and cyber-attacks, in addition to directed media and violent extremism.

In this context, I assert the importance of reviewing and reinforcing civil protection procedures through exchanging expertise and learning about scientific experiences to achieve the highest level of protection and general safety.

I also condemn the frequent terrorist attacks against Saudi Arabia, asserting Bahrain's supportive stance with all security procedures and measures of Saudi Arabia to protect its security, stability and the safety of its people and lands.

I take this opportunity to hail the efforts of the GCC Police Authority that is being developed to achieve its goals under the support of the UAE. Furthermore, kindly allow me on this occasion to congratulate the UAE for hosting Dubai Expo 2020 that is being held for the first time in the Middle East. 

The exhibition reflects a partnership toward a better future for humanity.

Your Highnesses and Excellencies,

The expertise exchanging system is considered as a base for joint security cooperation. 

Here I represent the experience and achievements of Bahrain under the royal vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. 

The milestones were also accomplished as part of the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. 

The achievements include the alternative penalties programmes, reformation centres and the open prison as a national and humanitarian project to improve the criminal justice system and continue human rights reinforcement efforts.

The efforts are part of the dedication of Bahrain to promote human rights practices based on our religious principles and good traditions.  

Finally, I wish the best to the meeting and look forward to promoting joint efforts to develop security cooperation between GCC countries in various fields and reinforce the stability and prosperity of our nations.”

The meeting reviewed various security topics that promote cooperation and coordination to enhance performance and face challenges and rapid regional and international changes.

At the end of the meeting, the GCC Secretary-General highlighted that GCC Interior Ministers had expressed thanks to Bahrain for the excellent hospitality, expressing appreciation to the sincere efforts of Bahrain in supporting joint Gulf security work and integration in different fields. They also expressed their thanks and appreciation to HM the King, HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for their support.

He said that the Interior Ministers hailed the support provided by GCC leaders to joint GCC security work to protect regional security, stability and accomplishments. They asserted their support to Saudi Arabia and its security procedures and steps to protect its security, stability and lands.

The GCC Secretary-General said that the officials welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding for technical cooperation in cyberspace and fighting cybercrimes between Bahrain and the UAE on the sidelines of the meeting. Furthermore, he valued the alternative penalties programme of Bahrain and its approach to adopt the reformation centre programme and open prisons.

The Interior Minister hailed Bahrain's proposal to review and reinforce civil protection procedures through the exchange of expertise and scientific experiences to ensure the highest level of general safety. They stressed the importance of joint work to protect security and face challenges, affirming the need to reinforce cooperation in cyber security and develop a joint project to fight crime and protect collective security.

The GCC Secretary-General said that the Interior Minister asserted the importance to intensify joint efforts to protect the GCC community from drug addiction by tackling the issue and promoting rehabilitation programmes.

The meeting reviewed coordination between concerned authorities to face organised crimes. He said that the meeting also reviewed preparations for the joint exercise "Arabian Gulf Security3" to be held in Saudi Arabia in January 2022.

The meeting also discussed reports of the concerned security panels and the recommendations of the Interior Ministries' undersecretaries. As a result, the Interior Ministers decided to promote joint efforts in fighting terrorist crimes.