Speaking during a press conference with his Egyptian counterpart Nabil Fahmi, Shaikh Khalid said that their meeting focused on issues of mutual concern.
He added that he was honoured by meeting the Grand Imam of Azhar Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb, asserting that Bahrain will never forget his honourable stances towards it.
He noted that during his meeting with Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb and Fahmi, he affirmed Bahrain’s backing for the steps taken by the concerned authorities in brotherly Egypt to restore security, stability and order, and combat terrorism, violence and extremism.
He stressed that what the Egyptian government is currently doing is part of its duties towards its citizens, and is an internal Egyptian affair in which no one has the right to interfere.
He added that he had affirmed that Bahrain –King, government and people- stood by Egypt and supported the steps taken by its wise leadership and government to implement the future Road Map in order to promote security and stability and meet its people’s aspirations for a brighter and more prosperous future.
He expressed full confidence that brotherly Egypt would regain its pioneering Arab and regional role in defending the just causes of the Arab and Islamic nations.
He affirmed the kingdom of Bahrain’s pride in its deep-rooted relations with Egypt and its brotherly people, based on mutual love, solidarity, fraternity and constant cooperation at all levels.
He renewed Bahrain’s sincere thanks and appreciation to Egypt’s leadership and people for rejecting external threats facing Bahrain and contributing to building and developing its modern state, which, he stressed, will never be forgotten by the kingdom, wishing Egypt and its people continuous progress and prosperity.
He expressed the two countries’ joint desire to consolidate their ties in the political, economic and social fields, noting that he agreed with his Egypt counterpart on activating the Joint Committee and setting dates of its next meetings here as soon as possible.
He said that the Joint Committee and the Joint Businessman’s Council would resume their meetings in the near future and be a framework for coordinating joint Bahraini-Egyptian action.
He explained that he had discussed with Fahmi the current regional developments and ways of dealing with them together so as to ensure regional security and stability.
Responding to a question on Iran’s role in fueling the situation in the region, the Foreign Minister said Iran’s role was “clear.”
He said that although Iran is a neighbourly Muslim country, its stances over the past years are not in harmony with the principles of the good-neigbourliness, citing the terrorist acts in Bahrain and the evidence provided in the testimonies of the terrorists arrested there.
“I’m speaking about Bahrain given the evidence we have, and the best proof is Iran’s growing role over the past period to spread instability in a number of Arab countries, especially Bahrain,” he noted.
“Its interference in our affairs is clear and we hope to address it and overcome it,” he added, expressing hope that Iran will re-consider its policies in this regard and stop causing harm to its neighbours in the first place.
Regarding the role of the United Nations in Syria, he said that there are different views in the UN Security Council, noting that the countries of the region should play a major role so as to impose their visions, interets and agenda on the International Community.
He added that “our joint work as brothers and allies will determine the shape of a possible international intervention.”
He noted that the final statement of the meeting of the Arab League Council was approved by most countries, and that some member states chose to have difference stances.
He denied any differences between Egypt’s stances and those of the GCC countries regarding cooperation in the current period.
“We totally agree on everything and the coming period will prove that,” he stressed.
He affirmed the Arab League’s key role in Arab issues, citing its efforts in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, adding that it will continue playing an effective role despite attempts by some sides to impose their agendas on the region.
Regarding the possibility of establishing a smaller bloc of Arab counties with similar stances, Shaikh Khalid asserted that any Arab blocs would undermine and weaken joint Arab action, stressing the importance of preserving the common Arab identity and stances.
He affirmed that in every group or bloc, it’s natural and healthy to have members with different views, stressing that what is important is maintaining a unified and all-inclusive Arab framework so as to convey the right message to the right sides.