Manama, November 16 (BNA) His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received today at Gudaibiya Palace the President of the Federal Republic of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro.
After establishing official reception protocols, the Brazilian President received the members of the Bahraini side, and His Majesty the King greeted the delegation accompanying the Brazilian President.
After that, His Majesty held a dialogue session with the Brazilian President, during which they reviewed relations and cooperation between the two friendly countries and ways to enhance them.
The Brazilian President thanked His Majesty for the warm reception and hospitality, and for his keenness to strengthen bilateral relations.
After that, His Majesty the King held an expanded discussion session in the presence of the Bahraini and Brazilian sides.
His Majesty, in a speech delivered on this occasion, welcomed the Brazilian president and his accompanying delegation, praising the growing friendship between the two countries. He described the visit as a step forward for strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation, congratulating the Brazilian President for sponsoring the opening of the Brazilian Embassy in Manama. His Majesty the King said: “We are looking forward to the official opening of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Brasilia soon, as this will have a significant impact on strengthening diplomatic relations and common interests.”
His Majesty the King praised the Brazilian President’s ratification of the Air Services Agreement between the two countries. He stressed that the signing of a number of memoranda of understanding and agreements reflects the common interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields.
His Majesty the King renewed his thanks and appreciation to the Brazilian President for sponsoring the celebration held by the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence to launch the Bahrain Declaration in South America. His Majesty stressed, “This confirms what we agree on about the need to continue spreading the values of tolerance, coexistence and enlightened thought to promote harmony and peace for the good of all mankind.”
His Majesty the King presented His Excellency the Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa Medal, the highest decoration in the Kingdom of Bahrain, in appreciation of his efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation.
The President of the Federative Republic of Brazil delivered a speech in which he expressed his happiness to visit Bahrain and meet His Majesty the King for the first time. He thanked His Majesty the King and the Bahraini people for the warm reception and the delegation accompanying him. He described his visit to the Kingdom as a new page in the relations between the two countries. He also invited His Majesty to visit Brazil, stressing the importance of continuous dialogue in strengthening relations and taking advantage of available opportunities. “Today we are taking an important step towards a deeper relationship: the opening of the Brazilian embassy in Manama, which is a major indication of Brazil’s intention to establish strong relations with Bahrain,” he said.
He added, “I am also grateful for His Majesty the King’s wise initiative to open the Bahrain Embassy in Brasilia in 2018,” stressing the importance of this step in promoting rapprochement and developing a partnership that goes beyond political dialogue. He also referred to the growing economic cooperation between the two countries, expressing keenness to boost investments. He also noted that signing a defense cooperation agreement will deepen bilateral relations in the region.
“Brazil has a reliable, diversified and advanced industrial defense base that is ready to meet the Bahraini needs,” the Brazilian president said, stressing the common interest in promoting peace and stability in the region and the world. He also praised Bahrain’s efforts in promoting religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The Brazilian President bestowed on His Majesty the King the Grand Collar of the Brazilian National Medal of the Southern Cross, which is the highest decoration in Brazil, in appreciation of His Majesty’s role and efforts in consolidating relations between the two friendly countries.
His Majesty the King presented the Bahrain Order of the First Class to the wife of the President of Brazil.
His Majesty the King also awarded the “Bahrain Medal” to the national team player Ali Manfredi for winning the gold medal in the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship organized by the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He also awarded the Order of Efficiency to Sheikh Muhammad bin Saud bin Salman Al Khalifa, Ahmed Abdul Hamid Ali Al Aradi, Badr Jamal Jassim Muhammad Namchan Al Dosari, Sughra Abdul Razzaq Ismail Mubarak, and Hassan Makki Mahdi Ali Abdullah.
His Majesty the King and the Brazilian President handed the medals to the players in appreciation of their efforts to extract gold.
His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa presented a souvenir to the Brazilian President.
A number of agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed in the presence of His Majesty the King and the Brazilian President. They are:
1- Agreement on mutual exemption from visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, special and official passports. The meeting was concluded by Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and his Brazilian counterpart Carlos Alberto Franco Franca.
2- Memorandum of Understanding between the Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies and the Rio Branco Institute at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Brazil. It aims to enhance cooperation in training diplomats and exchanging information and experiences. It was concluded by the foreign ministers of the two countries.
3- A memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the sports field. It was concluded by the foreign ministers of the two countries.
4- Memorandum of Understanding between the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) and the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism to enhance cultural cooperation. The agreement was signed by Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Culture Mario Frias.
5- Memorandum of Understanding between the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence and the Brazilian Ministry of Women, Family and Human Rights. The meeting concluded with the presence of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence, Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, and the Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
His Majesty the King and the Brazilian President praised the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding that will contribute to strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation.
His Majesty the King hosted a luncheon in honor of the Brazilian President and his accompanying delegation.
The letter of honor was formed under the chairmanship of the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Zayed bin Rashid Al-Zayani.
AOQ