German Chancellor Angela Merkel visits Bahrain

 

Manama, May 27, 2010 - His Royal Highness the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa today was the forefront of those who welcomed the German Chancellor Angela Merkel who arrived here today on an official visit to kingdom where she held talks with the Bahraini senior officials on ways of bolstering Bahraini German relations and enhancing bilateral cooperation.

 

The two Deputy Premiers, a number of ministers, officials, the Muharraq Governor, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps the Qatari Ambassador to Bahrain and the two countries' Ambassadors were also present. An honorary convoy, headed by the Foreign Affairs Minister, was formed to accompany Merkel during her stay in the kingdom.

 
His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa today held official talks with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Gudaibiya Palace in the presence of the two countries' delegations.

 

During the talks, the Kingdom of Bahrain called for the establishment of a Joint Bahraini-German Committee for economic, trade and technical cooperation and increase of the trade balance between the two countries. The kingdom also called for promoting political dialogue and economic partnership between GCC states and the European Union through carrying on the negotiations aiming to sign a Free Trade Agreement between them. The two sides agreed to coordinate at international gatherings and consolidate diplomatic collaboration.

 

They also stressed the need to carry on their cooperation at the health level and increase medical investments, especially in the field of medical education. They also agreed to finalise their cooperation agreements related to civil aviation, avoidance of double taxation and cultural cooperation and customs. During the meeting, Germany called upon Bahrain to avail of the German expertise in the fields of renewable energy and infrastructure, expressing keenness to enhance economic cooperation for their common benefit. The German side also expressed hope to carry on building stronger economic ties, thanking the kingdom for supporting the German candidacy to obtain a non-permanent seat in the Security Council's next session. Germany also lauded Bahrain's efforts to promote peace and stability and balanced foreign policy in a world full of conflicts and disputes, asserting Germany's keenness to reach a compromise formula on the free trade agreement between GCC and the European Union.

 

His Royal Highness Premier asserted that His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's visit to Germany in 2008 has opened up broader cooperation horizons, encouraged reciprocal visits of businessmen and trade delegations and helped set up joint industrial and service projects. HRH Premier also affirmed the two countries' keenness to coordinate and boost each other's candidacies at different world gatherings, train Bahraini diplomats and work together to promote peace and stability.

 

On her Part, Merkel praised the Bahraini government's ambitious projects benefiting the citizens, hailing the government's policies aiming to diversify the kingdom's revenues. She also expressed her country's keenness to carry out joint Bahraini-German projects and take advantage of the economic and trade agreements signed between them. The two sides also reviewed the latest regional developments, stressing the need to adhere to diplomatic and peaceful means in solving disputes.

 

Bahrain News Agency