Gudaibia Palace: The Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed support to the Kingdom saying that the security of both nations is inseparable.
Prime Minister Nawaz also valued highly Bahrain’s supportive stances towards Pakistan and said such understanding would help strengthening the ties further.
PM Nawaz was speaking as he was received by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa who received at the Gudaibiya Palace his Pakistani counterpart Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
Both leaders agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation and coordination at the Asian and international levels for the sake of reinforcing global security and stability.
HRH Premier affirmed Pakistan’s influential role at the international arena.
Both leaders during bilateral talks discussed ways and means to bolster bilateral cooperation, and opening up new horizons in the economic, trade, security and military fields.
An official reception ceremony was held in honour of the kingdom’s distinguished guest on arrival at the Gudaibiya Palace. The national anthems of the two friendly countries were played, and then the two leaders inspect the Guard of Honour, whose members lined up to salute them.
Then, the Pakistani Prime Minister wrote a message in the Visitors’ Register, in which he wished the Kingdom further progress and prosperity.
The two sides agreed to increase the volume of bilateral trade, and avail of the two countries’ investment atmospheres to enhance joint investments.
They also agreed to develop security and military cooperation, amid the growing terror threats that require intensive and concerted efforts to face them.
They expressed readiness to expand bilateral cooperation to cover the oil and gas sectors.
They also agreed to activate the mechanisms of cooperation in the financial and banking fields, as well as human development.
HRH Premier and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif applauded the positive outcomes of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s recent visit to Pakistan, stressing the importance of the memoranda of understandings (MoUs) signed on its sidelines, citing in particular the MoU on establishing a Joint Ministerial Committee.
The two Prime Ministers hailed the importance of the role played by the private sector and businessmen in building up a solid bilateral economic partnership through launching joint investment projects that consolidate trade exchange, particularly in the financial, commercial and productivity sectors.
They underlined the importance of carrying on coordination and mutual understanding towards regional and global issues and denunciation of all forms and manifestations of terrorism.
He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Bahrain provided an opportunity to review the outstanding bilateral relations, discuss ways to bolster joint cooperation in various fields, and activate the MoUs signed between the two countries in the economic, trade and investment fields.
He expressed satisfaction at the current level of Bahraini-Pakistani relations, noting that they have flourished at all levels, in light of the two countries’ constant mutual understanding and coordination vis-à-vis a number of regional and global issues.
HRH the Prime Minister confirmed the Kingdom’s keen interest to strengthen its ties with Pakistan and open up new horizons of fruitful and constructive cooperation with it to meet the aspirations of the two friendly peoples.
He stressed the importance of intensifying visits of senior officials and businessmen in the two countries to strengthen joint ties and develop a model of outstanding fruitful cooperation, especially in the economic, investment, education and cultural fields.
HRH Premier praised the role played by the Pakistani community in Bahrain in enhancing the development and progress boom currently witnessed by the kingdom in all fields.
He added that complementarity among Islamic countries is no longer difficult in light of the presence of leaders such as HRH Premier, whose wisdom and statesmanship he praised.
He also extended to HRH Premier an invitation to visit his country, which he accepted.
He commended HRH Premier’s efforts to develop bilateral ties in order to be a role model of friendly relations based on mutual respect and common desire to achieve joint interests.
He expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to HRH Premier for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to him and his accompanying delegation, noting that the visit is good opportunity to develop the exiting bilateral cooperation and solid ties.
He expressed his country’s interest in enhancing its ties with Bahrain in various fields, noting that the two countries should benefit from each other’s potentials.
He said that the Pakistani community in Bahrain enjoys care and respect at all levels.
The two countries signed a Protocol amending the Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income.
They also signed a draft agreement on exemption from short stay visas for holders of diplomatic, special (for Bahrainis only) and official (for Pakistanis only) passports.
They also signed a MoU in the field of environment.
A MoU on Culture Cooperation, a Protocol on Twinning Islamabad and the Capital Governorate and a MoU in the field of education and higher education were also signed.
Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and Special Assistant to the Pakistani Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Syed Tariq Fatemi.
HRH Premier hosted a lunch banquet in honour of his Pakistani counterpart and his accompanying delegation.
Senior Royal Family members, Parliament Speaker, Shura Council Chairman, senior officials and businessmen attended.