Manama, November 17 (BNA) Bahrain and Brazil issued the following joint declaration regarding the official visit of President Jair Bolsonaro to the Kingdom of Bahrain on November 16-17:
1 – At the invitation of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, visited the Kingdom of Bahrain from November 16 to 17, 2021. This is the first visit of a Brazilian head of state. To the Kingdom of Bahrain, which represents a new stage in bilateral relations, characterized by the growing social, cultural, political, commercial and investment relations between the two countries.
2. The President of Brazil was received by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Manama, where he inaugurated the Brazilian Embassy in the Bahraini capital. Referring to the opening of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Brasilia in 2018, the leaders highlighted the importance of this diplomatic representation in establishing an increasingly fluid dialogue between the two countries.
3- The leaders expressed their intention to continue to strengthen the bilateral political dialogue, including through high-level visits. In this context, the President of the Republic invited His Majesty the King of Bahrain to visit Brazil at a date to be determined through diplomatic channels. His Majesty the King bestowed President Jair Bolsonaro with the Bahrain Medal of Excellent Class from the Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa. The Brazilian President bestowed on His Majesty the Grand Collar of the Brazilian National Medal of the Southern Cross.
4. The leaders welcomed the remarkable expansion of bilateral trade during 2021, which indicates the complementarity between the two economies and the potential of trade relations. Bilateral trade is expected to exceed US$2 billion by 2021, and Brazil is expected to become one of Bahrain’s major suppliers. The two leaders affirmed their willingness to consider ways to diversify and further advance the bilateral trade agenda.
5. The President of the Republic also participated in a business symposium organized by the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in Manama. Recognizing the important history of the relations between the private sectors of the two countries, the leaders agreed to make efforts to bring them together. In this regard, they welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two central banks of Brazil and Bahrain, as well as the signing of memoranda of understanding between the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry. And between the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Chambers of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
6. Convinced of the efficiency and capacity of Brazilian agribusiness to ensure Bahraini food security, the leaders discussed possibilities for cooperation in the field of agriculture. They agreed to establish channels of dialogue between the health authorities in order to expand the access of Brazilian agricultural products to the Bahraini market.
7. The leaders emphasized the importance they attach to defense cooperation, and expressed their desire to sign as soon as possible an agreement on defense cooperation, which will form the basis of joint initiatives in the region. They expressed their intention to establish cooperation in the field of defense products beyond commercial aspects, and to emphasize joint initiatives in research and development. Bahrain welcomed the Brazilian Navy’s participation in the Combined Maritime Forces, a multinational maritime partnership based in Bahrain.
8. The participation of the President of the Republic in a special session of the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence. The leaders agreed to undertake joint initiatives under the auspices of the Declaration of the Kingdom of Bahrain, recognizing the importance of tolerance and interfaith dialogue in promoting lasting peace in the Middle East and the world. They welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence and the Coordination of Freedom of Religion or Belief, Conscience and Expression and Academics (COLIB), affiliated with the Ministry of Women, Family and Human Rights of Brazil.
9. Highlighting the importance of promoting tolerance and coexistence to advance regional stability and economic prosperity, President Bolsonaro welcomed the signing of the Ibrahim Agreement in 2020 between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Israel. The Bahraini side reiterated that the Ibrahim Agreements represent a historic opportunity that facilitates cooperation, peacemaking and interfaith dialogue.
10. Emphasizing that knowledge and mutual ties between societies constitute the best basis for a strong and resilient bilateral relationship, the leaders agreed to encourage cooperation initiatives in the areas of culture, education, tourism and sports.
11. The leaders welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for sports cooperation and expressed the importance of jointly identifying priority areas for cooperation in this field.
12- They also congratulated themselves on the signing of an agreement on cultural cooperation, paving the way for the implementation of joint initiatives and the expansion of cooperation in areas such as the preservation of cultural heritage, the translation of literary works, and the exchange between cultural centers and museums, among others.
13- The two leaders, as a symbol of the political relations between the two countries, welcomed the signing of the Visa Waiver Agreement for Diplomatic and Official Passports, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between Diplomatic Academies. The latter provides for the exchange of students and diplomats, including participation in their training programs and the exchange of information about programs of study and research, courses, seminars and other academic activities.
14- They highlighted the entry into force of the Air Services Agreement, last August 28, which opens prospects for the regular operation of routes by airlines from both countries, thus expanding the interconnection between Brazil and Bahrain. They recognized the importance of the instrument, which, by creating a legal framework for bilateral air transport, will enhance interdependence between the two countries, with benefits not only economic, but also social, as it facilitates the bilateral flow of people and goods, favors new investments and promotes greater social and cultural interaction between our peoples. The two leaders welcomed the certification of Brazil’s membership in the global sea-to-air logistics hub, and look forward to establishing direct flights between Bahrain and Brazil in the near future.
15. As part of the process of building the legal framework for strengthening bilateral relations in the future, the leaders agreed to continue negotiating cooperation agreements in the areas of education, legal and legal issues, investment facilitation, and technical cooperation, among other topics.
16. Recognizing the importance of the Gulf Cooperation Council for peace and security in the Middle East, Brazil welcomed the recent positive developments in the relations between its members.
FKN