“We are proud of our policy of economic openness that has been Bahrain’s choice over time. Preserving positive growth rates and continuing to create adequate job opportunities will remain the main challenges,” His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Sunday said after the opening the second joint session of the third legislative term of the country’s Parliament.
“Our economic policy should also remain all-inclusive and integrate everybody as the Government focuses on encouraging investments and on providing all facilities to investors,” he said.
His Majesty King Hamad, who was joined by the Prime Minister His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa Crown Prince, opened the joint session following the completion of bye-elections for 18-seats at the Lower House of the Parliament which fell vacant due to the resignations of Al Wefaq members.
His Majesty congratulated the new representatives on their victory in the parliamentary bye-elections.
“The successes of bye-elections were a powerful indication that Bahrain, a strong country by the will of God, is well capable, thanks to the collective consciousness of its people, of protecting its gains and record and of overcoming all challenges.
“On this auspicious occasion, we wish to congratulate the Bahraini women who have proven their aptitudes to compete for, and win, the honour of serving this nation and participating in the nation building process and in the reforms. Bahrain has always been a good and blessed country and its history tells the story of the hard-working and tenacious Bahraini who adores his country and loves his wider family, the people of Bahrain.
“Our gathering today is held in the Isa Cultural Centre, the same place that hosted the national dialogue under the leadership of the Speaker of the Council of Representatives and under the care of the legislative branch in cooperation with the government,” he said.
“It was a consolidation of our firm and unlimited commitment to supporting the state of laws and to reinforcing the role of constitutional institutions and the principle of cooperation between the branches. The outcome was the visions of the National Dialogue, which we supported and endorsed. They reflect and embody the depth of the civilized affiliation of the nation and its generous people. Dialogue is the language of civilizations and the means for success and goodness,” he said.
“In this regard, we commend, with great pride and appreciation, His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bins Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, in leading the government and in tirelessly serving the national interests,” His Majesty said.
“We also laud His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, for his determination in boosting achievements and preparing for a brighter future for future generations. Brothers and Sisters Bahrain Defence Force is the shield that protects the homeland and protects its gains. That is the only priority for the personnel of the BDF, officers and soldiers. They are the impregnable fortress of the nation. On this occasion, we praise their honourable training, equipment and organizational standards.”
“We are also pleased to express our appreciation to the units of the Peninsula Shield as a force of goodness, security and peace. They were a model of the full cooperation between the countries and peoples of the Gulf Cooperation Council and a natural extension and an integral part of the forces of each of the GCC member countries. The Kingdom of Bahrain is proud with the political and defensive support from our brothers in the GCC countries and which reflects the status of the countries within the Council,” he said.
“We stress that the Kingdom of Bahrain will exert all its efforts to develop and reinforce the outstanding fraternal relations between the GCC countries. The premise is that in the world of force, there is room only for the strong.
“The strength of the GCC stems from the faith of its leaders and the stress of its peoples on the need for cohesion, unity and the development of its institutions. We will strive towards further coordination, integration and interdependence among the GCC countries in all areas in order to achieve unity,” he explained.
“Based on our pride in the standing that Bahrain enjoys within the international community and in its full support to the goals and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, we have personally participated in the 66th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York City.
“We talked in our address to the heads of states about the progress of our nation and conveyed the aspirations and ambitions of our people as well as their democracy progress. We stressed that the civil state system stemming from our cultural, political, social and religious nature is the most suitable for our country and enhances national cohesion.”