Manama:A delegation from Bahrain's Parliamentary Division, led by Jamal Mohamed Fakhro, First Deputy Chairman of the Shura Council, alongside Rojo Edwards Silva, President of GRULAC, has signed a cooperation agreement between the legislative councils of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states and the Group of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC).
According to Bahrain News Agency, the agreement was signed in the presence of Hala Ramzy Fayez, a Shura Council member and Deputy Head of Bahrain's Parliamentary Division delegation, MP Zainab Abdulameer Khalil, and representatives from participating GCC parliamentary delegations.
The agreement's primary objectives include strengthening relations, promoting stability, continuity, and multilateralism, and establishing a joint mechanism for exchanging information and expertise. It also aims to facilitate parliamentary delegation visits to enhance dialogue on political affairs, international peace, security, democracy, education, energy, and water resources.
Additionally, the agreement seeks to boost trade and investment opportunities by opening new markets and broadening negotiations led by parliamentarians from both regions. This initiative is expected to enhance economic cooperation and encourage bilateral trade.
The cooperation mechanism includes closer coordination through official visits, discussions on regional and international issues of mutual interest, and specialised visits between legislative councils. It covers the exchange of legislative expertise in areas such as law, science, education, health, technology, climate change, and digital transformation.
The agreement also emphasizes strengthening strategic cooperation on Arab, Latin American, and international issues, organizing joint meetings to coordinate positions at international forums, and setting up specialized events and training programs. Coordination and follow-up on the agreement's implementation will be managed by the GCC and GRULAC Secretariats, with meetings occurring at least once a year during Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) gatherings.