Palestinian cause remains our biggest priority: Bahrain King

TDT | Manama                                                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has asserted the importance of ending all conflicts that threaten human security and civilised development.

“The Palestinian cause will remain our biggest priority,” said HM the King as he delivered a speech at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Riyadh yesterday.

“The stance of the Kingdom of Bahrain on supporting comprehensive peace efforts to find a just solution for it is a firm position that we shall not deviate from to ensure the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent, sovereign state on the borders of July 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

Within this framework, HM King Hamad called for an immediate halt to the ongoing escalation in the Gaza Strip, as well as for protecting civilians from both sides and releasing detained civilians. He also stressed the importance of opening urgent humanitarian corridors to allow medical and relief aid, food, water, and electricity into the Gaza Strip, as well as preventing the displacement of the Gazans from their homes, neighborhoods, and land of ancestors. Peaceful endeavors should remain the only choice for achieving the peace that they all seek.

“Peaceful endeavours should remain the only choice for achieving the peace that we all seek,” HM the King noted.

‘Trust of partnership’

He said that the summit is a true embodiment of the role of strong alliances that are based on the principle of “trust of partnership” in securing peace, stability, and coordination to address emerging challenges.

The Kingdom of Bahrain, proud of contributing to this strategic cooperation, hosted its first meeting in 2009. Since then, the Kingdom has supported joint efforts to reach new levels of fruitful cooperation with trusted partners who seek peace and defend its causes and for their constant determination to excel in all sectors of production.

HM King Hamad congratulated the attendees on what had been agreed upon in the joint action plan, which will enable them to make maximum benefit from the potential of their countries, particularly in the areas of exchange of trade, investment, technology, and culture.

Stability of world order

“We are certain that activating our partnership will contribute to maintaining the stability of the world order and protecting its interests; as well as making our cooperation an effective model for the strength of collective determination and its role in giving priority to understanding and constructive dialogue, and building bridges of cooperation and integration towards a safer and more prosperous world,” His Majesty emphasised.

Distinguished guests gathered at the summit and expressed their gratitude towards the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for hosting an important summit that aims to maximise proximity and integration between both sides, towards organised and long-term cooperation that offers abundant opportunities of prosperity for their countries.

“We reiterate our thanks and appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its dedicated efforts in supporting joint action, and generous hospitality, wishing it continued success in the steps it takes towards serving humanity and its prosperity,” HM the King concluded.