Boosting bonds of friendship

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received at Shaikh Hamad Palace yesterday President of Seychelles Danny Faure and his accompanying delegation. They reviewed bilateral relations and co-operation mainly in the economic, trade and tourism fields. HM the King expressed hope the visit of the Seychelles President will further boost relations between the two friendly countries.

The Seychelles President expressed thanks and respect to HM the King for the gracious welcome and hospitality, voicing happiness about visiting the Kingdom of Bahrain and meeting him. HM the King underlined keenness on consolidating relations of friendship with Seychelles for the common interest of both countries and peoples.

HM King Hamad stressed the Kingdom’s unwavering approach of boosting relations with other countries on the basis of mutual trust, understanding and respect. His Majesty also lauded the achievements of Seychelles under the leadership of President Danny Faure. Both leaders emphasised keenness to bolster bilateral relations and cooperation and avail of the promising opportunities available in both countries.

The Seychelles President commended Bahrain’s humanitarian initiatives, under the leadership of HM the King, and its efforts to promote the values of tolerance and co-existence. A number of agreements and memoranda of understanding will be signed between the two friendly countries.

Separately, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammad Al Khalifa, signed a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Republic of Seychelles, with the Minister of Finance, Trade and Economic Planning of the Republic of Seychelles, Maurice Loustau-Lalanne. The signing took place on the sidelines of the official visit of Seychelles President Danny Faure to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The agreements are visa requirements exemptions for holders of diplomatic, private or official passports and a general cooperation agreement between the two governments, in addition to a memorandum of understanding between the Central Bank of Bahrain and the Central Bank of the Republic of Seychelles, and a memorandum of understanding on co-operation in the field of tourism between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Republic of Seychelles.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs praised growing relations of friendship between both countries, stressing that the signing of these agreements and memorandums of understanding reflects keenness of the two countries on joint co-ordination and co-operation in various fields.

For his part, Maurice Loustau-Lalanne assured the Republic of Seychelles’s keenness to consolidate relations with the Kingdom of Bahrain and take advantage of the various opportunities available to develop mutual cooperation at all levels, wishing the Kingdom of Bahrain continued progress and prosperity.