Manama, October 10 (BNA) His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa sponsored today the opening of the fourth session of the fifth legislative term of the Shura and Representatives Councils.
The opening ceremony was held at Sakhir Palace in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
Upon His Majesty’s arrival at the Sakhir Palace, the band played the national anthem.
The ceremony was also attended by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the personal representative of His Majesty the King, and His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of the Royal Court.
The ceremony was attended remotely by Parliament Speaker Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal, Shura Council Speaker Ali bin Abdullah Saleh, Parliament Affairs Minister Ghanem bin Fadl Al-Buainain and members of Parliament.
After reciting some verses of the Noble Qur’an, His Majesty the King delivered his speech before the House of Representatives. He expressed his happiness with the opening of the fourth session of the fifth legislative term. His Majesty said, “I am looking forward to a new stage of serious and fruitful work within the blessed renaissance procession started by the fathers towards the homeland of love, freedom and prosperity.” He stressed the regular constitutional continuity that aims to consolidate the solid Bahraini traditions that characterize the national experience.
His Majesty the King expressed his thanks to His Highness the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister for his tireless and continuous efforts in dealing with the emergency health crisis, praising the role of the Bahraini work team in this regard, which the nation will cherish forever. He cited in particular the medical teams working on the front lines and facing the epidemic with vaccinations.
His Majesty the King affirmed the Kingdom’s strong economic performance despite the difficult stage. His Majesty said: “We are proceeding at a steady pace and with a strong economic performance that leads us to satisfaction and optimism for a confident return to the growth paths that Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 aspires to,” referring to the professional handling of rapid economic changes to enhance economic development. The Kingdom’s competitiveness and economic position.
His Majesty called on businessmen to put forward more ideas and initiatives for comprehensive economic development, focusing on the role of small and medium enterprises in achieving sustainable growth goals, especially in the field of industry and future sciences. He urged the development of a way to address environmental challenges and the climate crisis that threatens the planet, in order to formulate effective international positions to protect the environment from any new risks.
His Majesty praised the government’s effective programs to achieve fiscal balance and self-sufficiency as a prerequisite for increasing national resources and ensuring their sustainability. He praised the continuous development of the government’s performance while adhering to the latest administrative and technical practices.
His Majesty the King praised the one-family spirit that characterizes Bahraini society, stressing keenness on the continuous development of legislation and work systems, especially those related to the protection of human rights and the strengthening of family and social cohesion. In this regard, he referred to the Alternative Sanctions Program, which succeeded in achieving its objectives as a civilized national project with comprehensive humanitarian aspects.
His Majesty affirmed the Kingdom’s firm commitment to its diplomatic approach based on the policy of good neighborliness and mutual respect with brotherly and friendly countries. He expressed his deep concern over the deliberate targeting of the territorial waters of the Arabian Gulf, threatening regional security and international navigation. He stressed that the repeated hostile attacks on commercial ships in the Arabian Gulf and the Arabian Sea require more international cooperation to combat terrorism and stop its support and financing.
His Majesty the King praised the blessed Gulf march, expressing his keenness to achieve the noble Gulf goals of mobilizing ranks and developing common interests. He praised the cooperation between the government and the National Assembly to reach effective solutions and to review and develop priority legislation. He also praised the role of parliamentary delegations in highlighting the Kingdom’s image in regional and international forums.
His Majesty the King praised the distinguished efforts and sacrifices made by the Bahraini armed forces and security bodies in defending the country, its achievements and sovereignty. We express to our military institutions our great happiness and blessing for adopting advanced military industrialization programs and localizing their operations, in line with what we are witnessing in regional experiences that make us proud of achieving the defense force that supports stability in the country. His Majesty said.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives expressed his thanks and gratitude to His Majesty the King for sponsoring the opening ceremony of the fourth session of the fifth legislative term, pledging to continue national action in line with the royal directives to promote democracy, freedom and achievements. She commended the steadfast support provided by His Majesty the King to the legislative authority to perform its legislative and oversight role according to advanced constitutional foundations and through continuous cooperation with the executive authority.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives praised the role of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in laying the foundations for a new and advanced approach to collective national action that takes into account the capabilities of the Bahraini people. She also commended His Highness the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister’s successful leadership of national efforts to combat the Corona Virus (Covid-19) pandemic and confront its repercussions.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives pledged to continue supporting steps to enhance national identity, preserve hard-earned gains, enhance respect for the rule of law and institutions, enhance the role of youth, and support the advancement of Bahraini women. She praised the efforts of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the sanctity of His Majesty the King and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Women, in the Kingdom’s development process.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives praised the role and achievements of Bahraini youth thanks to the royal support and the tireless efforts of His Majesty’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs, His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
AOQ