Bahrain joins Arab nations in celebrating 78th anniversary of League of Arab States

TDT | Manama                                                  

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com    

On March 22, Bahrain and the Arab countries celebrate the seventy-eighth anniversary of the establishment of the League of Arab States. On this day in 1945, the Charter of the League of Arab States was signed.

It was established to facilitate ties between Arab countries, safeguard the independence of member states, coordinate plans and policies. The movement also aims to achieve cooperation in economic, cultural, social and health affairs, protect Arab interests, and cooperate with international bodies to ensure security and peace and to regulate economic and social relations.

Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the support of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, joined the Arab League on September 11, 1971.

Since that day, Bahrain has been an active participant in the League’s work and activities with its firm commitment to its charter and principles. The Kingdom presided over the fifteenth Arab Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Arab Republic of Egypt, in March 2003.

The Kingdom of Bahrain interacts with the various bodies of the League of Arab States on all economic, developmental and social levels and has hosted a number of its meetings for that reason. History bears witness to the Kingdom of Bahrain’s defense of its Arab identity and being an integral part of the Arab nation, when the people of Bahrain affirmed their adherence to their Arab identity and nationality in the referendum conducted by the United Nations in 1971.

Not to mention the initiatives taken by the Kingdom, under the leadership of His Majesty the King and the directions of the government headed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to support and develop joint Arab action, and its honorable stances in defending the interests of Arab states and people.

Bahrain has supported many important Arab issues, including security, stability and regional peace, combating terrorism and piracy, sustainable development, food security, trade exchange, and youth support and care.

On the economic front, the Kingdom played a prominent and effective role during the first economic development summit held in the State of Kuwait in January 2009. Bahrain also hosted the third summit of the ministerial meeting of the Arab-Chinese Cooperation Forum in May 2007, which had an important impact on advancing the process of Arab cooperation with China.

The Kingdom was also a founding member of the Arab Free Trade Zone, which was launched on January 1, 1998 to reach the goal of the Arab common market. For Arab integration, the Kingdom has put forward many initiatives to develop and document joint Arab action, including the Arab Court for Human Rights, the joint Arab Stock Exchange project by the Kingdom, the home projects initiative and many other initiatives.

Kingdom has ratified most of the agreements, treaties and charters issued by the League of Arab States. Bahrain always welcomed hosting any Arab institution for the promotion of Arab action, including hosting the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY) affiliated to the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC). Bahraini has also assumed many positions since its accession to the Arab League: Ambassador Abdulnabi Musayyib, former Head of the Arab League Mission in Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Najdi, former Advisor to the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, and . Faeqa Saeed Al-Saleh, former Advisor to the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States.

Bahrainis also handles several key positions currently in the League of Arab States, which confirms its constant keenness to participate in the League’s efforts. Ambassador Khalil Ibrahim Al-Thawadi holds the position of Assistant Secretary-Gen’eral and Head of the Arab Affairs and National Security Sector, and Ambassador Youssef Jamil is the Head of Mission of the League of Arab States in New Delhi, and Representative Adel Al-Asoomi is the Speaker of the Arab Parliament.

On the other hand, the Arab League was the supporter of Bahrain. The League declared more than once its full solidarity with Bahrain in confronting terrorist acts and activities aimed at destabilizing its security and stability, and strongly supporting the efforts made by the security services in the Kingdom to eradicate the threat of terrorism from across Bahrain.

As the Arab League celebrates its 78th anniversary, it presents an opportunity to eval[1]uate the current circumstanc[1]es and capabilities, and reflect on the required performance and role amidst the exception[1]al conditions in the region, in order to facilitate the League’s progress.