“High Representative Catherine Ashton warmly welcomes the news that HRH Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, upon the request of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, held wide ranging talks with participants in the National Dialogue in recent days, including in particular with Al-Wefaq’s Secretary General Sheikh Ali Salman for the first time since the events of February 2011,” the spokesperson said in a statement issued on Thursday in Brussels.
The High Representative also welcomes the positive reaction of the opposition, and looks forward to the resumption of National Dialogue, the spokesperson added.
“The suspension of dialogue meetings last week had been a disappointment, and the EU had on this occasion reiterated its conviction that there is no solution to the current crisis other than a Bahraini one based on compromises and mutual trust.”
The EU has consistently been advocating for inclusive national reconciliation talks since February 2011, calling on all parties to engage without preconditions, the spokesperson said.
“The High Representative hopes that the consultations led by HRH Crown Prince Salman, as well as the decision to raise the level of governmental and other parties’ representation in the dialogue, will pave the way for long term national reconciliation and sustainable reform in Bahrain,” the spokesperson said.