22 August 2013 - Foreign Secretary Albert F. del Rosario visited Bahrain on August 20 to seek ways to strengthen Philippine ties with Bahrain. He met with HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, prime minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, foreign minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and exchanged views with them on regional issues and developments.
During the visit, the Philippine and Bahraini sides held a joint press conference. In his statement, Secretary del Rosario noted the deep friendship and strong cooperation that exists between the two countries, and observed that “through the years, in the best and worst of times, Bahrain has been a true friend and partner of the Filipino people.” He also stated that “the peace, security, and development of Bahrain are vital to the continued growth of Philippines-Bahrain relations, as would the unity and harmony of its people.”
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Bilateral Consultations was also signed by and between Secretary del Rosario and his Bahraini counterpart. The MOU seeks to establish a mechanism for the review of the state of bilateral relations between the two countries, the monitoring of the implementation of pending bilateral agreements, and the promotion of other possible areas of cooperation.
During Secretary del Rosario’s meetings with Bahraini top officials, the two sides discussed the possible convening in the early part of 2014 of the 1st Philippines-Bahrain Joint Commission Meeting on Manpower, Economic, Commercial, Educational, Cultural, and Technical Cooperation, and the participation of the private sector in the said undertaking, as a means to promote value-creating and growth-generating initiatives. Promotion of bilateral exchanges in the government and private sectors was also encouraged.
Aware of the need to sustain the momentum of current efforts to revitalize Philippines-Bahrain relations, the two sides likewise discussed the planned visit to Manila of Bahrain’s Foreign Minister, as well as the proposed visit to Manila early next year of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Bahrain’s plan to set up a resident embassy in Manila in the near future was also taken up.
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Secretary del Rosario was accompanied during the visit by Assistant Secretary Petronila Garcia of the Office of Middle East and African Affairs (OMEAA), Special Envoy to the Gold Cooperation Council (GCC), Mr. Amable R. Aguiluz V, Ms. Mary Jennifer Dingal, Director of GCC Division of OMEAA, and Mr. Francis Berme, Protocol Officer. Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain Sahid S. Glang and Consul General Raquel R. Solano also formed part of the delegation. END