HRH Prince Salman Meets Turkish President
Bahrain and Turkey today pledged to promote bilateral relations and optimize cooperation in all fields. This came as His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, met Turkish President Abdulla Gul in Ankara.
The Turkish leader lauded Bahrain’s democratic experience, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa. He stressed the success of Bahrain’s fledgling experience in promoting freedom, justice and democracy. President Gul lauded Bahrain’s key role and contribution towards promoting cooperation between Turkey and the GCC member states. “More will be achieved now that a prominent Bahraini will take over as GCC secretary-general”, he said. HRH Prince Salman thanked President Gul for the warm welcome, stressing firm keenness to bolster bilateral cooperation. The Crown Prince and President Gul discussed the current political situation in the Middle East. “The current regional political developments have created a new reality in the Middle East”, they said, stressing the need for all parties to deal with the new situation, to promote justice and democracy and fast-track development for the sake of citizens.
Meanwhile, HRH Prince Salman urged Turkish industrialists and traders to invest in Bahrain, specially, and the GCC in general. “The opportunity is ripe to promote cooperation and boost bilateral trade, economic and financial exchanges”, he said. He was appealing to the business community as he visited the Turkish Union of Chambers of Commerce and Bourses.
He outlined Bahrain’s trade credentials, which aimed to achieve development and justice over the last decade, in line with His Majesty King Hamad’s desire to promote citizens as the top priority of national development. “We gave the priority to doubling Bahraini families, income and succeeded in boosting per capita”, he said.
The two sides discussed the prospects of promoting bilateral cooperation and urged Turkey to promote its cooperation with the GCC, projecting Bahrain as a gateway to the Gulf region. HRH Prince Salman spotlighted Bahrain’s economic outlook and current trade trends, stressed adopted economic policies to bolster the private sector. “The State encourages the private sector to boost domestic investments and ensure greater participation in national economic”, he said, described the state as a facilitator rather than an impediment hindering investment.
The two sides discussed prospects of cooperation in key sectors, particularly housing, finance and banking, construction and light industries. Turkish Union of Chambers of Commerce and Bourses chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu welcomed HRH prince Salman, stressing his the desire of the private sector to promote investments and cooperation with Bahrain and draw up joint plans and programmes to meet their goals. HRH Prince Salman visited the Turkish Military Industrial Complex where he was welcomed by its director general.
He toured the facility, expressing his admiration at the cutting-edge technologic prowess. He also stressed Bahrain’s keenness to promote military cooperation.
Turkish Defence Minister Wajdi Gonul hosted a lunch banquet in honour of HRH Prince Salman and the accompanying delegation.
