Deputy King Receives Alistair Burt and Lauds UK’s Support for Bahrain

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa found his pioneering reform project on a solid background on the basis of which he established a state of law and institutions in which duties, freedoms and rights are respected, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Deputy of His Majesty the King and Crown Prince said.

Speaking as he received today, at Al Riffa Palace, the UK Minister for Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt, HRH Prince Salman appreciated Britain’s supportive stances towards the kingdom during this year’s incidents, which, he said, reflect the solid historical Bahraini-UK ties of friendship and cooperation at all levels, noting that HM the King’s visit to London this week is a living proof of the strength of those relations. “Through the report issued by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), Bahrain has provided the true and most accurate version of what had happened during the recent incidents,” he noted, adding that such a “step testifies to the kingdom’s commitment to promote the cultures of accountability and transparency.” HRH Crown Prince also pointed out that “setting goals is an indispensible matter, but what is more important is how those goals are reached and how realistic our evaluation of the progress made is”. 

On his part, Alistair Burt lauded the issuance of BICI final report, calling for the need to take tangible steps in order to implement the recommendations, wishing Bahrain every success. He also reiterated his country’s full-fledged support for the steps taken by the kingdom in this regard. Regional and global issues of joint interest were also spotlighted during the meeting.

Head of HRH Crown Prince’s Court Shaikh Khalifa bin Daij Al Khalifa, Advisor to HRH Crown Prince Shaikh Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, UK Ambassador to Bahrain Iain Lindsay and Bilateral Relations Director at the Foreign Ministry Dhafer Al Omran attended.