Press conference highlights Brazilian President’s visit outcomes

Manama, November 16 (BNA) on the sidelines of the official visit of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to the Kingdom of Bahrain, at the invitation of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Khalifa. Al-Zayani, a press conference.

The minister made a media statement about the visit and reviewed the most important topics that were discussed and agreed upon between the two sides.

Al-Zayani said that His Majesty the King and the Brazilian President held important talks, with the participation of the delegations of the two countries, which reflected the close relations between them based on mutual respect, continuous communication and real interest in developing cooperation in all fields that would serve common interests.

He said that His Majesty the King expressed his thanks to the Brazilian President for his interest in enhancing prospects for cooperation between the two friendly countries, stressing the Kingdom of Bahrain’s aspiration and keenness to develop cooperation with Brazil in the economic and investment fields.

The minister indicated that His Majesty the King expressed his congratulations to the Brazilian President on the opening of the Brazilian Embassy, ​​and that His Majesty is looking forward to opening the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Brasilia soon, which will contribute to increasing opportunities and cooperation between the two countries. two countries.

The minister said that His Majesty and the Brazilian President discussed opportunities to develop bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, agriculture, health, tourism, culture and other fields that would contribute to consolidating relations between them.

Al-Zayani added that the two leaders expressed their determination to continue strengthening the bilateral political dialogue through high-level visits. In this context, the Brazilian President extended an invitation to His Majesty the King to visit Brazil at a date to be determined through diplomatic channels.

The minister said that the two leaders welcomed the remarkable expansion of bilateral trade in 2021, which indicates the complementarity between the two economies and the potential of trade relations. Bilateral trade is expected to exceed $2 billion by 2021, and Brazil is expected to become one of Bahrain’s main suppliers. The two leaders affirmed their willingness to consider ways to diversify and enhance bilateral trade.

He said that the Brazilian president participated in a business seminar organized by the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce.

He also participated in a special session of the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence. It was agreed to take joint initiatives within the framework of the Bahrain Declaration, in appreciation of the importance of tolerance and interfaith dialogue in promoting lasting peace in the Middle East and the world.

Al-Zayani added that His Majesty the King granted the Brazilian President the Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the highest Bahraini decoration, in appreciation of the president’s good efforts in promoting friendship and cooperation between the two friendly countries.

The Brazilian President bestowed upon His Majesty the King the Grand Collar of the Brazilian National Medal of the Southern Cross, the highest decoration in Brazil.

The minister explained that memoranda of understanding and agreements were signed between the two sides, including: an agreement on exemption from visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, special and official passports between the two countries.

The agreement aims to facilitate the travel of citizens of the two countries who hold diplomatic, private and official passports, by allowing them to enter, exit, transit or reside in the territories of both parties without a visa.

A memorandum of understanding was also signed for cooperation in the field of training diplomats and exchanging information and experiences in relation to academic research, courses, seminars, and academic, educational and training activities.

A memorandum of understanding in the field of sports cooperation, a memorandum of understanding in the field of cultural cooperation, a memorandum of understanding on coordination for freedom of religion, belief, conscience and expression, and a memorandum of understanding between the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Arab – the Brazilian Chamber of Commerce was also signed to enhance economic and commercial cooperation between the two sides.

The minister added that he handed the Brazilian Foreign Minister a certificate of Brazil’s membership in the Global, Maritime and Air Logistics Center in order to achieve the common goal of developing economic and trade relations between the two countries.