His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa on Thursday underlined the importance of the deliberations of the National Dialogue which according to King Hamad would add a new dimension to the ongoing progress and development march which started 10 years ago.
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received at Al Rawdha Palace, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, the participants in the National Consensus Dialogue, led by the Parliament and National Dialogue Chairman Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Dhahrani, who submitted to him the final visions of the National Consensus Dialogue.
His Majesty in a speech said that the consensus on national issues during the National Dialogue shows the maturity of the democratic initiatives taken by the country as a result of the National Action Charter.
“The views reached on consensus during National Dialogue shall act as shining landmarks for a new phase on the road of development, growth and building, emanating from the solid foundations we have laid down a decade ago in the epoch-making National Action Charter and here we are today with you intent on launching this new phase in order to realize glory to this dear homeland,” HM Majesty said.
“It is my pleasure to meet you during these blessed days to congratulate you on the near advent of the holy month of Ramadan as we pray to Allah Almighty to bestow upon us and upon our country the divine graces of security, faith and success in carrying out the deeds that He loves and approves and to help us realize the aspirations of our noble nation.
“On this historic day we have received the views of the National Consensus Dialogue: your dialogue which embodied the spirit of intimacy, loving-kindness and amity and reflected the extent of your commitment to surmount the past incidents, and this denotes your great understanding and belief in the principles of national action around which all denominations and sects of the community do congregate, hence the results are evidence that consensus and reconciliation matters are far greater than all differences and that the foundations of good citizenship and national unity are more solid and capable of carrying forward the march of reform and development.
“On this occasion, we would like to thank honorable brother Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Dhahrani, the Chairman of the Representatives Council and Chairman of the National Consensus Dialogue, for the huge, fruitful efforts and everyone who participated and contributed their efforts and expertise in the national consensus for the sake of our beloved country Bahrain.
“The views of the national consensus are considered a civilizational landmark on our progressive march of national action as we have reached vast horizons for further reforms and development. These views have been expressed through participation by our Bahraini citizens from all walks of life. Therefore, we reiterate our personal support and follow-up of all he matters on which consensus has been reached in preservation of the rights of all citizens and residents.
“The national consensus views comprised activation of the popular willpower in the government, laying down specific standards for the selection of members in the Shura Council, supporting the independence of the juridical power, and boosting human rights, which come amongst other fruitful consensus efforts and actions which push forward democratic practice and the rule of the law in our Kingdom. In addition to the foregoing, the consensus reached confirmed the significance of economic openness with which brings modernization in order to boost our inclination towards reform and development. This will remain our persistent, unequivocal policy.
“In this regard, and in order for the national consensus views to materialize by activation through our constitutional institutions, we have ordered the executive and legislative authorities to take the necessary actions. As we are aware of the economic challenges we have to live with, and as we are keen on upgrading the citizens’ standards of living, we ordered the government to take the necessary actions regarding increasing salaries of civil, military and retired government employees and to expedite the other matters pertaining to all citizens’ living that have been included within the National Dialogue views,” His Majesty explained.
“I am confident that the people of Bahrain are capable – with the Will of Allah – to preserve their own unity and face up to the challenges they encounter with trust in Almighty Allah in a spirit of loving-kindness, intimacy, amity and optimism. We pray Allah Almighty to preserve our country, Bahrain, from any mishaps or calamity and unite our word and ranks and maintain our fraternity and amity. Allah is All-hearing All-answering to supplications.”
Later, the Representatives Council Chairman presented a commemorative gift to His Majesty the King on this occasion.