Manama, March 8 (BNA) The Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Dirasat) hosted a panel discussion entitled “The European Union and Bahrain: A Multidimensional Partnership” to discuss strengthening relations between Bahrain and the European Union.
This event coincided with the first anniversary of the signing of the cooperation agreement between the Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European External Action Service in 2021, which provides an institutional framework for political dialogue and cooperation in the fields of trade, research, innovation, clean energy and productivity. Renewable energy.
Speakers included the European Union Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman, Patrick Simonet, and the Head of European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ahmed Al-Qurainiz.
Other committee members were Eni’s Managing Director in Bahrain and Lebanon, Eni’s Deputy General Manager and Head of Earth Sciences at Eni UAE Dr. Andrea Cozzi, and Executive Director of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bahrain (FCCIB) Reem Jalali.
The Kingdom of Bahrain views the European Union as a distinct regional organization and a model of integration and integration. The Executive Director of Studies, Dr. Hamad Ibrahim Al-Abdullah, said that the Kingdom ensures the development of its relations with bilateral or comprehensive relations.
He referred to estimates indicating a trade exchange of 2.5 billion euros between Bahrain and the European Union until the end of 2021, in addition to many European companies operating in Bahrain, and European expertise in the Kingdom’s public and private sectors.
Al-Abdullah pointed to the increase in the frequency of mutual visits between the two sides in the past few years, which confirms the extent of their keenness to develop their relations on the basis of largely intertwined interests, as confirmed by regional challenges, especially the Covid pandemic.
He pointed out that energy security and climate change represent additional challenges, all of which require an expanded mutual dialogue to coordinate efforts in facing these challenges.
Simonet said that cooperation with Bahrain is multidimensional given its importance as a partner in the European Union.
The signing of the 2021 cooperation agreement was an important step in the development of multi-sectoral relations, including economic and trade diversification, research and innovation, human rights, clean energy, and renewables – an area in which the European Union is a global leader, said the ambassador.
He referred to the European Union’s work to strengthen individual relations through the exchange of students and researchers.
The evidence stressed the need to strengthen bilateral relations with the European Union in all fields, describing them as rapidly growing in the economic, educational, environmental and parliamentary fields, thanks to the Kingdom’s wise leadership’s focus on constructive cooperation with the European Union. Ways.
He said that such meetings are important in setting cooperation frameworks based on previous achievements to increase partnerships between Bahrain and the European Union.
Dr. Cozzi, General Manager, said the Italian oil company Eni entered Bahrain in 2019, seeking opportunities to explore for hydrocarbon, renewables, and liquefied natural gas.
He added that Eni is also pursuing initiatives of sourcing, circular carbon economy, water and soil management, waste recycling, promoting the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Bahrain Vision 2030, as well as contributing to Bahrain’s future energy needs further. An effective and sustainable method.
Jalali said she was “delighted to discuss the dynamic presence of French businesses in the Kingdom in the areas of banking, retail, hospitality and industry.”
“It all reflects how keen many French companies are already in making Bahrain their regional base, a trend that can grow in a post-COVID environment,” she said.
The participants stressed the importance of strengthening joint action to confront climate change, protect the environment, and invest in renewable energy.
They commended similar commitments by the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and welcomed their active participation in the United Nations Climate Conference and the exchange of views on issues of common concern.