Bahrain Forms Parliamentary Friendship Committee with Russia to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

Dr. Jihad Abdullah Al-Fadhel, Second Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council and Chair of the Parliamentary Friendship Committee between Bahrain’s Shura Council and the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, emphasized that the committee’s formation reflects the Council’s strong belief in parliamentary diplomacy as an effective tool to enhance bilateral cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and friendly nations. She highlighted the legislative authority’s focus on achieving tangible outcomes from the historic visits undertaken by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, may God protect him, to brotherly and friendly countries.

The remarks came during a meeting of the Bahraini side of the Parliamentary Friendship Committee between the Shura Council and Russia’s Federation Council, held on Wednesday. The meeting addressed the committee’s objectives and its upcoming local action plan. Discussions focused on the importance of exchanging parliamentary visits, coordinating joint participation in regional and international forums, and setting priorities in key areas such as economy and investment, education, energy, and tourism.

Dr. Al-Fadhel noted that the first meeting of the Bahraini side of the committee represents a foundational step in establishing a clear roadmap to activate coordination frameworks and expand communication channels with the Russian side across all parliamentary and legislative levels. She stressed the committee’s commitment to leveraging parliamentary diplomacy to support the official diplomatic efforts led by the Government under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God protect him.

During the meeting, committee members expressed their keen interest in implementing the agreements reached during the visit of His Excellency Ali bin Saleh Al-Saleh, Speaker of the Shura Council, to Russia in July 2025, particularly the points outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by both sides. They underscored the importance of building on the outcomes of the visit and enhancing cooperation in ways that serve the shared interests of both friendly countries.

Committee members also expressed their dedication to ensuring that the Bahraini-Russian Parliamentary Friendship Committee becomes an active platform for promoting mutual understanding and strengthening parliamentary relations between Bahrain and Russia, contributing to Bahrain’s strategic vision of openness and constructive cooperation with nations worldwide.

The committee is chaired by Dr. Jihad Abdullah Al-Fadhel, Second Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council, and includes members: Mr. Khalid Hussein Al-Masqati, Chair of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee; Dr. Mohammed Ali Hassan Ali, Chair of the Public Utilities and Environment Committee; and Ms. Ijlal Isa Boubshait, Deputy Chair of the Committee on Women and Children’s Affairs.