Parliamentary diplomacy essential in foreign policy
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Parliamentary diplomacy is important in serving the kingdom’s foreign policy, consolidating its effective presence and enhancing the trust it enjoys at the international level.
This was emphasised by Council of Representatives Speaker Fawzia bint Abdulla Zainal as she, together with Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, took part remotely in the inauguration ceremony of the “Parliamentary Diplomacy Diploma” programme, jointly prepared by the Mohamed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies and the Representatives Council.
Addressing the virtual ceremony, the Speaker asserted that the rapidly-unfolding world developments and the convergence of interests of countries at all levels require the activation of all available tools to support the nation’s policies and strengthen its international relations.
The Speaker noted that parliamentary diplomacy is an influential tool to raise the levels of Bahrain’s mutual understanding with friendly countries, as well as regional and international organisations.
She indicated that the legislative branch has developed the necessary plans and strategies, and given parliamentary diplomacy utmost priority, being one of the most important tools to implement national policies at the external levels, through bilateral relations or multi-lateral diplomatic work.
She noted that the diplomatic work of the Foreign Affairs Ministry and that of the legislative branch complete each other, as their ultimate goal is to achieve national interests.
Zainal affirmed that the legislative branch in the kingdom has made tangible and fruitful diplomatic contributions at the GCC, Arab, regional, continental, Islamic and international levels thanks to the Reform Project, spearheaded by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
She pointed out that the performance of Bahrain’s parliamentary diplomacy has improved thanks to directives of HM the King and the keenness of the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to use parliamentary diplomacy to care for national interests and consolidate global peace and security.
Dr Al Zayani, in his speech, expressed the joint keenness of the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Representatives Council to enhance their constructive cooperation and achieve their common goals of developing the role of parliamentary diplomacy in supporting the kingdom’s foreign policy, in line with the directives of HM the King and HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
He lauded the close cooperation between the officials of the Mohamed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies and the Representatives Council’s Secretariat-General over the past period to prepare such a distinguished programme aimed at enhancing the role of parliamentary diplomacy in support of the Foreign Ministry’s efforts to achieve top national interest, as well as strengthening Bahrain’s relations with brotherly and friendly countries.
He affirmed that in line with the directives of HM King Hamad, the principles and goals of Bahraini diplomacy are unified to preserve the nation’s sovereignty, independence, security and prosperity, in addition to enhancing its regional and international status, while maintaining the main features of moderation, balance, flexibility, harmony and constructive cooperation with various countries, within the framework of international conventions and laws.
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