H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said that the UAE-Bahrain ties are long-standing and underpinned by great hopes and promising opportunities.
The UAE top diplomat made the statements while co-chairing with Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the 10th session of the UAE-Bahrain Joint Higher Committee, which convened today.
Addressing the committee, Sheikh Abdullah expressed his delight at being in Bahrain and meeting His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, commending the Bahraini King’s directives and his determination to further boost the bilateral relations between the two countries.
"While raising our non-oil trade volume in 2021 to US$6.5 bn is certainly an achievement, it does not reflect our true potential, as we believe there are still myriad opportunities [to grow it further]. The aspirations of our leadership, headed by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Majesty Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, inspire us to take extra care and make further efforts to achieve such ambitions," the UAE top diplomat said.
He emphasised the importance the two countries' government and private sectors place on fostering cooperation, which motivates their desire to offer them better chances, incentives, and communication channels, as well as to support their joint ventures and overcome obstacles they face.
“We are looking forward to learning about the insights that the Emirati and Bahraini business communities have in common to seize available opportunities, drive the future of our relations, and explore various sectors with promising prospects, such as technology, banking, clean and renewable energy, healthcare and others,” Sheikh Abdullah explained.
He further highlighted the importance of intensifying cooperation between the government and private sectors, as well as between the private sectors in the UAE and Bahrain.
The UAE foreign minister expressed his thanks and appreciation for the warm hospitality that Dr. Al Zayani has shown and the special attention he gave this visit and their Joint Higher Committee.
He also praised the importance that His Majesty King Hamad and HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, place on the Committee, noting that King Hamad's most recent visit to the UAE, during which several agreements were signed between their countries, significantly aided the development of UAE-Bahrain relations.
For his part, Dr. Abdulatif bin Rashid Al Zayani underscored the deeply rooted UAE-Bahrain relations, which were established by the late founding fathers of both countries, adding that they are keen to develop them further with the support of their leaderships.
“The distinguished relations between the UAE and the Kingdom of Bahrain were established by the founding leaders, and we are keen to continue the march under the support and care of the leadership of the two countries,” he added.
"The relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates is one that should be copied in terms of unity, complementarity, and interdependence between the two governments' leaders and their respective peoples. They are supported by respect for one another, a shared vision, and destiny.
"We are happy of the prudent foreign policy stance taken by the UAE and the real efforts being made with regard to promoting peace and stability in the region and the world, fostering cooperation between the GCC members, upholding the integrity of the Gulf, and boosting collective Arab action."
He emphasised how Bahrain's foreign policy and the UAE's efforts in this area are complementary, with both nations pursuing common objectives.
The Bahrain\s top diplomat commended the UAE for organising Expo 2020 Dubai successfully and for their outstanding accomplishments. He expressed confidence that the UAE would successfully host 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) in 2023.
The UAE-Bahraini Joint Higher Committee has made significant contributions to advancing cooperation since it was established, the minister said, adding that it has done so with the help and guidance of the two countries' leaders.
In attendance at the session were Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State, Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to Bahrain, Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Assistant Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and a number of officials from both sides.
