Deputy King Hails Role of France in Promoting Global Peace
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Deputy of His Majesty the King and Crown Prince, has expressed his appreciation and respect for the French President Nicholas Sarkozy for his essential and constructive role in safeguarding global peace and consolidating the position of Europe as a united economic entity that is capable of overcoming its own crises, describing their meeting in Paris earlier this year as “outstanding”.
Speaking as he received today, at Al Riffa Palace, the French MP and Chairman of the French-Bahraini Parliamentary Friendship society Francis Saint-Léger and his accompanying delegation, HRH Crown Prince said that France has, throughout its history, contributed to the spread of the culture of democracy, respect for the other and safeguarding of social diversity. “Democracy is a single word, but it refers to a culture, practice, mutual understanding and shared interests,” he explained, wishing that the culture of democracy, in its proper sense based on diversity and respect for difference, is promoted across the Arab world.
The Deputy King also asserted that the Bahraini-French ties have, over decades, withstood the strong waves of extremism and socialism and paved the way for an alliance of democracy and diversity, citing the on-going strategic and permanent cooperation between the two countries regarding the fight against all forms of terrorism. HRH Prince Salman also praised the role currently played by France to safeguard the unity of Europe so as to be able to overcome its economic crisis and remain a strong political group. Regarding the GCC-French relations, HRH Crown Prince stressed that common economic interests should be taken into consideration, calling for the need to extend bridges of political, social and cultural cooperation in order to promote the values of rapprochement, interaction and moderation.
He also hailed the efforts made the French-Bahraini Parliamentary Friendship Society, reiterating his support for all initiatives aiming at bolstering bilateral coordination and cooperation. On their part, members of the delegation took pride in the distinguished level of Bahraini-French relations, asserting that Bahrain is a beacon of culture and development in the region. They also praised the teaching of the French language in the Kingdom’s schools, saying that the move will consolidate understanding and friendship between the two countries and their peoples.
Head of HRH Crown Prince’s Court Shaikh Khalifa bin Daij Al Khalifa attended.
