Budapest, Feb. 1 (BNA): The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, said that Bahrain is following a path that derives its principles from the wise vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to spread peace and harmony across the world, promoting the values of tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and civilized dialogue among nations.
The minister said that Bahrain unwavering stance on renouncing conflicts, resolving disputes through diplomatic means, and providing security and peace in all countries of the world.
In a lecture at the Diplomatic Academy in Budapest, attended by senior officials from the ministry, the President of the Academy and its students, the minister noted that spreading peace is one of the core goals of any nation’s foreign policy and diplomacy efforts, and a prerequisite for the stability, development and prosperity.
He said that Bahrain is both fortunate and proud that peace is among its most fundamental values, reinforced over the generations by interaction, coexistence and mutual respect which stem from the country’s status as a regional trading hub.
Bahrain is a truly multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-sect country, in which we have all learned to co-exist, and live peacefully while helping each other grow, and prosper, he added.
Al-Zayani referred to the recent visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Bahrain describing it as a "crossroads of mutual enrichment between peoples", while HM King Hamad, emphasized the centrality of peaceful dialogue in preventing and resolving conflicts, and in building understanding between countries, faiths and peoples.
He said that the values of peace and peaceful dialogue which continue to underpin our Bahraini diplomacy, whether in specific policies such as signing the historic Declaration in Support of Peace with Israel, or through the work of institutions such as the King Hamad Centre for Peaceful Coexistence in bringing together different faiths and cultures, and underlining the importance of our shared humanity.
Bahrain consistently advocates for peace as a strategic option in foreign policy, as an end in itself but also as a guiding principle, and that this is what the Kingdom does in its interactions with its neighbors, with the region, and with the entire international community, seeking to ensure that the Middle East can move beyond its long history of conflict and foreign interference, to become a source of security and stability, and realize the potential and aspirations of the region and all its peoples, he added.
Al-Zayani said that another pillar of Bahrain’s foreign policy, is its people.
Bahrain has a limited geographical area, and it always grown up in small neighborhoods next to each other, sharing common spaces, and common markets, forming close-knit communities and families, he said.
This history forms the basis of Bahrain’s civilization, hospitality, and openness to others. It has also given Bahrain a deep understanding of the centrality of people to any nation or society.
He added that people are at the center of the Kingdom’s domestic and foreign policies and explained that, domestically, Bahrain is committed to protecting the rights and freedoms of its people in the most comprehensive, effective and transparent manner.
This can be for example through the National Human Rights Plan launched last year, in addition to other institutional and modernization projects which have respect for democracy, human dignity, and national pride at their core.
Bahrain is committed to giving its people the best possible opportunities to meet their aspirations and fulfill their potential, including through the Kingdom’s Economic Vision 2030 and its principles of sustainability, competitiveness and fairness, he added.
On an international level, that Bahrain works to uphold and strengthen the rules-based international order, and the human rights principles and mechanisms enshrined in international law and institutions, Al-Zayani said.
Bahrain also works to advance people-centered policies and principles on the world stage, for example in terms of disaster relief, meeting humanitarian needs of those affected by conflict, poverty or disease, and working with others as Bahrain builds international capacity to deliver sustainable development across our globe, he added.
The minister appreciated the attention accorded by the Hungarian Diplomatic Academy to training diplomats and welcomed cooperation in diplomatic training development.
He noted that at a time of global turmoil, diplomacy needs fresh, agile, and bright minds more than ever before.
Y.R