Manama: Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, Chairman of the Shura Council, received a delegation from the European Parliament led by Reinhold Lopatka, Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Relations with the Arabian Peninsula. The meeting emphasized the significance of boosting parliamentary diplomacy to strengthen global security, promote peace, and safeguard international trade, while also exploring ways to fortify ties between Bahrain and the European Union.
According to Bahrain News Agency, discussions extended to political and security developments in the Middle East and their impact on diplomatic relations and the global economy. The dialogue also covered the repercussions of Iranian attacks on Bahrain's civil and vital facilities, highlighting the need to bolster efforts for security and stability. Al Saleh reiterated Bahrain's commitment to such diplomatic engagements, reflecting the royal vision of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa aimed at fostering international partnerships for collective prosperity.
Al Saleh pointed out that the Iranian attacks have intensified Bahrain's parliamentary diplomacy efforts to align with friendly parliaments and support official diplomacy. He stressed the importance of defending states' rights under international law and urged parliamentary institutions to uphold international legal standards, protect civil facilities, and maintain regional security.
The Chairman elaborated on Bahrain's legislative authority's proactive approach in building cooperation with regional and international parliaments. He noted that these efforts span various sectors, promoting openness and cultural exchange, ultimately contributing to global welfare and development.
The meeting also touched upon the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, advocating for peaceful conflict resolution and enhancing the role of parliamentary diplomacy in fostering peace. Both sides agreed on the necessity of strengthening Gulf-European parliamentary ties and expanding collaboration in modern legislative areas such as artificial intelligence and the digital economy to support mutual interests and consolidate security and stability.