*** ----> ‘Arab military union not on the cards at present’ | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

‘Arab military union not on the cards at present’

TDT | Manama                                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Staff Reporter

Arab military union is not presently on the cards, but there will be joint security cooperation and initiatives involving Egypt and Bahrain to thwart threats in the region, said Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry yesterday.

Mr Shoukry was replying to a question raised by a Bahraini journalist during the joint press conference held yesterday at Four Seasons Hotel, which was attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani, Minister of Finance and National Economy Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and Egyptian Minister for Planning and Economic Development Hala Elsaid.

Mr Shoukry and Ms Elsaid are part of the high-level delegation accompanying Egyptian President Dr Abdel Fattah El Sisi, who is on an official visit to the Kingdom. Mr Shoukry said security cooperation will be one of the top priorities in the bilateral relations between the both nations as it is vital in dealing with the threats that frequently arise within the region.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Al Zayani said the historic visit will further strengthen the strong brotherly ties between Bahrain and Egypt. “The high-level Egyptian delegation has had many fruitful discussions with the Bahrain side and we will be witnessing a boost in the historic relations encompassing many spheres. Widening the horizons in the bilateral ties would see the peoples of both nations benefitting.

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“There are many challenges in the region, which can be effectively dealt through joint cooperation.” Dr Al Zayani said both Bahrain and Egypt seek a comprehensive solution to the Israel-Palestinian crisis. “The Kingdom of Bahrain supports a peaceful solution to the Palestinian cause and supports the restoration of the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights. We support a two-state solution as per the Arab Peace Initiative.”

He said the security and stability of Yemen and Libya is important to all Arab nations including Bahrain and a peace solution must be reached without outside interference. Dr Al Zayani also said that Egypt has every right to protect its water resources. Shaikh Salman said the trade between Bahrain and Egypt has touched $800 million and is all set to double in the coming years.

“Ten memoranda of understanding have been signed by the visiting delegation with Bahraini counterparts. Economic cooperation, mainly in the banking and financial sector is going to take center stage in the bilateral ties between both nations.” He said Mumtalakat will be cooperating with the Egyptian Sovereign Fund to boost its portfolios.

“Bahrain banks have assets in Egypt and it is important to further boost the cooperation in the banking and financial sector of Egypt.” Ms Elsaid said the exports and imports between Egypt and Bahrain are all set to flourish in the coming years. “We will be jointly addressing the food security and water security crisis in the region. The Egyptian government has introduced a set of new agricultural policies to boost food production.

New technologies and new agricultural practices will be implemented in support of farmers with an aim to increase the yield.” She said the agricultural projects implemented within Egypt have been able to meet 65 per cent of the food requirements in the country. On the sidelines of the press conference, Mumtalakat Chief Executive Officer Khalid Al Rumaihi also spoke to members of the media, on the cooperation between both nations’ sovereign funds.