Manama: Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam, Speaker of the Council of Representatives, received a delegation from the European Parliament, headed by MEP Reinhold Lopatka, Chair of the Delegation for Relations with the Arab Peninsula (DARP). The delegation's visit underscores the commitment of the Kingdom, 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, to fortify its ties with the European Union. The meeting emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation in various domains, fostering trade exchanges, and enhancing joint investment projects that serve mutual interests and objectives.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Al Musallam praised the European Union's solidarity with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in addressing Iranian attacks. He lauded the EU's condemnation of Iranian actions through United Nations Security Council Resolution (2817) and highlighted diplomatic efforts aimed at maintaining the openness of the Strait of Hormuz. These efforts are crucial for protecting international shipping, ensuring global energy security, and upholding international law and humanitarian law principles.
The Speaker reiterated the Kingdom's consistent call for dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting stability, noting that diplomacy cannot succeed amid missile and drone threats. He emphasized that no state can tolerate attacks on its territory or threats to its people's security and regional stability. Such actions, he stated, are unjustifiable under any circumstances.
Al Musallam also addressed the impact of attacks on vital and civilian sites, which have led to casualties, injuries, and significant material damage. He praised the armed forces' efficiency and readiness in GCC countries in confronting these attacks with high capability.
The meeting was attended by Ahmed Abdulwahid Qarata, Second Deputy Speaker of the Council of Representatives; Hassan Eid Bukhamas, Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee; Abdullah Khalifa Al Rumaihi, Deputy Chair of the same committee; Hassan Ibrahim Hassan, Head of the Honourary Delegation; and Mohammed Ibrahim Al Sisi Al Buainain, Secretary-General of the Council of Representatives.