Manama: Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam, Speaker of the Council of Representatives and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Bahrain's Parliamentary Division, emphasised that the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and with the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, prioritises regional rapprochement and the development of Asian parliamentary work to enhance joint cooperation, serve the interests of Asian countries, and secure a prosperous future for the continent.
According to Bahrain News Agency, this statement was made during the opening of the meeting of the APA Standing Committees on Economic Affairs and Sustainable Development, hosted by Bahrain from September 14 - 16. The session was attended by key figures including Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, Speaker of the Shura Council; Deputy Speakers Abdel Nabi Salman Ahmed and Ahmed Abdulwahid Qarata; heads of parliamentary delegations from APA member states; and Mohammed Ibrahim Al Sisi Al Buainain, Secretary General of the Council of Representatives and Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Division.
During his remarks, Al Musallam called on the APA to launch a parliamentary project and a structured human rights initiative to support human rights and strengthen rights awareness across Asian countries. He highlighted Bahrain's commitment to supporting Asian parliamentary work, promoting parliamentary dialogue, developing cooperation mechanisms among Asian parliaments, and consolidating ties between Asian countries.
He also emphasised that the Asian economy is a key pillar of the global economy and that regional economic cooperation is important to ensure stability, integration, and sustainable growth. Al Musallam also drew attention to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, noting the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people, and stressed that Bahrain firmly believes a just and comprehensive peace is a strategic necessity for security, stability, and prosperity.
The session included remarks from Dr. Mohammad Redha Majidi, Secretary General of the APA, who commended Bahrain's longstanding commitment to advancing Asian parliamentary cooperation and enhancing frameworks for future collaboration among member states. Additionally, Ahmed Sabah Al Salloom, Deputy Speaker of APA and Chairman of its Standing Committee on Economic and Sustainable Development, commended Bahrain's dedication under the leadership of His Majesty King and HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister in developing Asian cooperation mechanisms, supporting the 2024 - 2028 ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council Framework of Cooperation, endorsing free trade negotiations between the two blocs, and strengthening political, economic, and cultural ties.
He underscored the APA's support for the proposed Asian Human Rights Parliamentary Initiative, highlighting plans to implement the vision in the coming phase. On his part, Rizvan Nabiyev, the Azerbaijani parliamentary representative, emphasised the growing importance of parliamentary diplomacy in addressing global challenges and enhancing multilateral cooperation in Asia. He noted that plans to open an Azerbaijani embassy in Bahrain reflect strong bilateral relations and strengthen partnership and cooperation between the two countries.