The statement issued upon the conclusion of the three-day official visit of the Russian Federation high-level delegation on Thursday.
The visiting 1st Deputy Premier Victor Zubkov, of the Russian Federation on Thursday said that Russia fully backed Bahrain’s reforms initiative and would continue to work together in all vital areas of interest.
Victor Zubkov paid an official visit to Bahrain from 17 to 19 January 2012 upon the invitation of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Victor Zubkov was received by His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, had meetings and talks with His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister and His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander.
During the negotiations between Victor Zubkov and Shaikh Mohammed Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa it was stated that the friendly relations between the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Bahrain are developing steadily and dynamically.
Meanwhile the heads of the two delegations noted that since their last meeting in January 2010 contacts between the two countries had expanded, the level of political coordination had significantly risen and the cooperation in various fields had witnessed further development.
The two parties were unison that the historic visit to Russia of King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa in December 2008 and his negotiations with Dmitry Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation had the special importance for strengthening relations between the two countries.
Bahrain leadership expressed its gratitude for the Russian support of His Majesty the King’s comprehensive initiatives in establishing an Independent Commission of Inquiry of the events that occurred in Bahrain. In the framework of the discussion of the bilateral agenda issues the agreement was reached to exert additional efforts with the view of increasing the volume of bilateral trade, more intensive inclusion of the business society in trade, economic and investment cooperation as well as the interaction in the field of high technologies.
In this context it was considered reasonable to intensify the activities of the Russian-Bahraini Business Council, including convocation of its meeting in the short run and examining the possibility of holding Russian trade and industrial exhibition in Bahrain in 2012 with the support of the official structures of the two countries.
Both parties spoke out in favour of the Russian-Bahraini economic cooperation including joint projects to have access to the GCC markets.
The Russian side displayed an interest in forwarding Bahraini investments to the economy of the Russian Federation.
There was a common opinion expressed that the Road Map proposed by the Russian side in January 2010 as a basis of the joint actions between Russia and Bahrain for the mid-term perspective maintains its practical importance.
Victor Zubkov and Shaikh Mohammed Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa agreed to contribute to the improvement of contacts in the financial and banking fields as well as to drive to signing in the shortest time the agreement between the governments of the two countries on the promotion and mutual protection of investments.
Russia and Bahrain would scan for new opportunities for the partnership in the field of energy with the priority given to the cooperation in oil and gas sphere, to the formation of the steadfast gas infrastructure in Bahrain.
The Russian side proposed to enhance the cooperation with Bahrain in the production of aluminium including the attraction of the modern Russian technology. The issue of establishing the direct flight connection between Russia and Bahrain was touched upon during the negotiations.
Meanwhile the understanding of supporting the mutual decision of air carriers in this regard was reached keeping in mind that it would effectively contribute to the development of the business cooperation and the tourism. The Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Bahrain intend to enhance ties in the humanitarian and cultural spheres.
The parties spoke out in favour of the intensification of inter-civilization dialogue based on equality, respect of national and religious particularities, traditions and historical experience. The Days of Russia to take place in 2012 are expected in Manama with great interest.
The participants of the negotiations deem important to render utmost assistance for the success of this project.
Mentioning the considerable contribution of Russia to the success of the 2nd Bahrain International Airshow its organizers expressed the highest appraisal to the performance of the “Russian Knights” aerobatic team. Upon the common assessment of the parties the visit of the Russian delegation headed by Victor Zubkov to Manama was successful and confirmed the mutual determination to add to the Russian-Bahrain multifaceted cooperation new dynamics and considerable substance.