HRH Crown Prince Meets with UK Foreign Secretary
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain, today met with UK Foreign Secretary, Rt Hon William Hague MP, at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. After the conclusion of the meeting, the Crown Prince issued the following statement: “This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship between Bahrain and the United Kingdom and Britain continues to be both a highly valued and trusted friend and ally of Bahrain.
I have taken the opportunity over the past week to meet with Prime Minister Cameron and Foreign Secretary Hague to build on this constructive relationship and provide an update on events in Bahrain. “Bahrain’s recent unrest is distinct in that the protests ultimately divided and polarised society rather than uniting it.
I gave the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary further direct insight into the reasons why the comprehensive offer of a national dialogue was ultimately rejected by opposition groups, affording extremists the opportunity to pursue a campaign of divisive and increasingly violent disorder that necessitated the introduction of emergency laws to prevent a wide-scale sectarian clash. “Undoubtedly, mistakes have been made by all sides during the recent period, but lessons are being learnt.
With the end of the State of National Safety days away, substantial activity is underway to comprehensively address core issues of national and international concern. Our goal is to build on historical progress in development and reform, evident when viewed in the context of the wider region. “Bahrain is fully committed to continuous reform, a programme led by His Majesty King Hamad over the past decade. However, in order for this process to be sustainable, the speed of progress must be guided by the ability to achieve consensus. Equally, while people’s freedoms must and will be respected in Bahrain, in the long-term this cannot be at the expense of security, law and order and respect for the rights of others.
“Bahrain has risen to similar challenges in the past and has always moved forward. It will do so again as one country; it will take time and progress will be based on principles of stability, sustainability and responsibility. Our goals will be realistic, achievable and must be acceptable to all Bahrainis, as recognised by Bahrain Cabinet’s stated intention to see dialogue resume in the near future. “We welcome the ongoing, constructive support of the United Kingdom during this time.
