16 April2019

Minister of Foreign Affairs inaugurates 11th Counter ISIS Finance Group Meeting

During FM reception, head of Sudan’s transitional military council praises HM the King’s stance

supporting Republic of Sudan

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa conveyed a verbal message from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain, to the Republic of Sudan’s head of transitional military council, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan Abdelrahman, that included His Majesty’s greetings and keenness on supporting the Republic of Sudan during this crucial stage.

The Minister also conveyed to Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan Abdelrahman the greetings of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and their good wishes to him.

This came as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa was received by the Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan Abdelrahman. Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan Abdelrahman expressed his sincere appreciation for His Majesty the King’s brotherly stance in supporting the Republic of Sudan in all circumstances, affirming that His Majesty the King’s position is unequivocal, given His Majesty’s keenness on ensuring the optimal welfare of Arab countries and their peoples.

18 April2019

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, affirmed the deep historical relations of friendship between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the People's Republic of China.

He ascribed the strength of Bahrain-China ties to the special care accorded by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, HRH Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HRH Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The Minister of Foreign Affairs hailed bilateral relations as based on strong foundations and mutual trust and respect and having all factors for more progress and prosperity.

This came as the minister took part in the celebration held by Ambassador Anwaer of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Bahrain on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, conveyed to the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Al Sharif, Dr. Ahmad Al-Tayeb, the greetings of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness the Prime Minister, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. He also extended their well wishes to the Grand Imam, and to the Arab Republic of Egypt and its brotherly people further progress and prosperity.

This came during their meeting at the residence of the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, where the Grand Imam of Al Azhar expressed his sincere appreciation for His Majesty the King and his constant efforts to spread coexistence and tolerance among nations and cultures, as well as establishing peace worldwide. He also pointed out that the Kingdom of Bahrain has always been a distinctive example and model in coexistence, openness and respect for others.The Minister of Foreign Affairs commended the efforts exerted by Dr. Ahmad Al-Tayeb in promoting the role of Al Azhar Al Sharif at all educational and intellectual levels as a center for Islam and enlightened thought. He also reflected the Kingdom’s appreciation for all the efforts of Al Azhar Al Sharif to represent Islam in its right image, promote moderation and the values of Islam, counter extremism and meet the challenges facing Islamic countries. He also noted the noble stances of the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Al Sharif in supporting the Kingdom of Bahrain, wishing him further success.

The Diplomatic Gazette22th Issue March 2019 Monthly Newsletter Kingdom of Bahrain

Minister of Foreign Affairs meets with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Islamic Republic of Pakistan

8 April 2019

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, affirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s constant commitment to combatting all forms of terrorism, stressing that it will remain an active partner in the Global Coalition Against Dash.

This came during the 11th Counter ISIS Finance Group Meeting, hosted in the Kingdom of Bahrain on April ,17-16 2019.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs delivered a speech in which he referred to the first meeting of the group, held in Manama in 2014, when the Manama Declaration was issued affirming the international concerns regarding terrorism financing and calling for concerted international efforts to protect the international financing systems and societies.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Participates in China Embassy Celebration of 30th Anniversary of

bilateral Diplomatic Relations

21 April2019

Minister of Foreign Affairs participates in Extraordinary Session of Council of Arab League at

Ministerial Level in Arab Republic of Egypt

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, participated in the Extraordinary Session of the Council of the Arab League at the Ministerial Level. The meeting was held in Cairo, in the presence of President Mahmoud Abbas, who briefed the Council on the latest developments regarding the Palestinian issue, and the Israeli violations of the United Nations resolutions on settlements and sacred places in Jerusalem.

22 April2019

22 April 2019

During his meeting with FM, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar praises HM the King’s efforts in spreading coexistence,

tolerance and establishing peace worldwide

24 April 2019

Tenth session of Joint High Committee for Cooperation between Kingdom of Bahrain and

State of Kuwait convenes in Manama

2 April 2019 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kingdom of Bahrain condemns terrorist attack on police checkpoint in Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

7 April 2019 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kingdom of Bahrain strongly condemns attack on security checkpoint in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

8 April 2019 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kingdom of Bahrain welcomes US designation of IRGC as terrorist organization

9 April 2019 Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns terrorist bombing of a military convoy in Afghanistan

9 April 2019 Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rejects Israeli Prime Minister’s Statements to Annex West Bank Settlements

9 April 2019 MoFA of Kingdom of Bahrain condemns terrorist bombing in Sheikh Zuweid of North Sinai Governorate, Arab Republic of Egypt

11 April 2019 The Kingdom of Bahrain stands with the brotherly Sudan and looks forward to it overcoming this crucial period

12 April 2019 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kingdom of Bahrain condemns bombing in city of Quetta, southwest of Islamic Republic of Pakistan

13 April 2019

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kingdom of Bahrain denounces terrorist attack in Nangarhar Province of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

13 April 2019 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kingdom of Bahrain welcomes convening of House of Representatives in Republic of Yemen

17 April 2019 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kingdom of Bahrain expresses its solidarity with French Republic following fire of Notre Dame Cathedral

18 April 2019 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain condemns Mogadishu double terrorist bombing

18 April 2019 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain condemns the terrorist attack in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

19 April 2019 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kingdom of Bahrain denounces terrorist shooting in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, UK

20 April 2019 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kingdom of Bahrain condemns double terrorist attack in Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

21 April 2019 Kingdom of Bahrain strongly condemns terrorist blasts in Colombo and other cities in Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

21 April 2019 The Kingdom of Bahrain condemns the terrorist attack on Zulfi Investigation Center in Riyadh

23 April 2019 Kingdom of Bahrain welcomes US decision regarding sanctions on importers of Iranian oil

Article

Al Maraa’ee exhibition kicked off its 5th edition in the Kingdom of Bahrain on 2019/4/10.

The exhibition is considered one of the largest annual exhibitions held by the Kingdom in the field of animal and agricultural production and food security.

It also aims to raise awareness of the importance of different species of animals, birds and other species, and provides a great opportunity for educators and specialists to display their production.

22 APRIL2019

Al Maraa’ee exhibition (5) kicks off in April in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Stances

Events

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Iranian threats to close Strait of Hormuz from the International Law perspective Mohamed Abdulrahman Alhaidan

Geographers define straits as a narrow body of water that connects two larger bodies of water 1 and separate two or more parts of land. However, thanks to the industrial, commercial and economic development in the world, straits have become crucial to the international trade movement. Straits have a great strategic importance to regulate the movement of international traffic to allow the movement of ships back and forth. The importance of straits was recognized by the international community and guaranteed to be covered by legal protection in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Article 38 of the Convention provides that “In straits referred to in article 37, all ships and aircraft enjoy the right of transit passage, which shall not be impeded; “, in addition to granting innocent passage in accordance with Article 45 of the said Convention.Although straits are sometimes part of the maritime territory of State bordering the State and are subject to the legal regulation of that State in its national legislation, in particular its customs, taxation and immigration legislation, this does not give the State the right to restrict the movement of vessels crossing the strait, given the fact that such restriction is contrary to the right of transit and freedom of navigation. International Law has agreed on this principle prior to the entry into force of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, where the International Court of Justice has ruled that the passage of British Royal Navy vessels in the Corfu Channel in 1946 does not constitute a violation of the sovereignty of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania.

The importance of the straits arises depending on the goods transported by transiting ships. Oil is undoubtedly one of the most significant imports, as it is a highly needed commodity on earth. It is considered a pivotal source of energy of which nations heavily rely on. The Strait of Hormuz is substantial. At least 40 %of the world's oil production passes through the Strait of Hormuz, the largest part of which goes to Japan. In addition, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia exports 88 per cent of its oil production through this strait, while the United Arab Emirates exports %99.

In light of this, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s threats to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to the sanctions imposed against them - when implemented - would harm the economy of all countries exporting and importing oil through the Strait of Hormuz. This will inevitably lead to a decrease in the market and a raise in the value of oil, causing a threat to the international economic and financial security. Such threats would also hinder the navigation of ships sailing in accordance with international conventions on international free trade. These illegal acts are in clear violation to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which grants ships freedom of passage, and they also destabilize international peace and security. In all cases, individual declarations and decisions, whether written or oral, bind only the State that issued them. As established by the United Nations International Law Commission, such obligations cannot be imposed by a State upon another State without its consent.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, participated in the Extraordinary Session of the Council of the Arab League at the Ministerial Level. The meeting was held in Cairo, in the presence of President Mahmoud Abbas, who briefed the Council on the latest developments regarding the Palestinian issue, and the Israeli violations of the United Nations resolutions on settlements and sacred places in Jerusalem.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs conveyed the greetings of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to President Mahmoud Abbas, affirming the directions of His Majesty the King on supporting the alienable rights of the Palestinian people.The Minister also hailed the commitment of the Palestinian leadership and people to achieve peace based on the Arab Peace Initiative 2002 and the relevant legitimacy resolutions. He reiterated the Kingdom's solidarity with the Palestinian people to achieve their legitimate rights.

1 April 2019

Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa reviews means of cooperation with UNDP officials

2 April 2019

Assistant Undersecretary for GCC and Arab Countries Affairs participates in 43rd Commemoration of Land Day at Palestinian Embassy to Bahrain

3 April 2019

Assistant Foreign Minister receives a delegation from the US Department of State

7 April 2019

Assistant Foreign Minister receives Chairperson of National Institution for Human Rights

9 April 2019

Undersecretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs receives delegation of students from Bahrain Bayan School

16 April 2019

Assistant Foreign Minister receives United Nations Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative of UNDP to Kingdom of Bahrain

21 April 2019

7th Meeting of National Committee on Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Development, Production, Use and Stockpiling and Their Destruction held

28 April 2019

Assistant Foreign Minister receives Senior Political Affairs Officer of Gulf Team,Middle East Division,Department of Political & Peacebuilding Affairs

29 April 2019

National Committee on Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Development, Production, Use and Stockpiling and their Destruction holds workshop

30 April 2019

Dr. Shaikh Abdulla reviews means of cooperation with Senior Political Affairs Officer in Peacebuilding of the United Nations

Director of Legal Affairs Dirctorate

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, met in Islamabad today with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mr. Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs praised the deep-rooted relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which are constantly developing at all levels, in light of the consultation and coordination approach of the two countries and their keenness on enhancing cooperation at all levels and achieving further progress and prosperity for their peoples.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan signed the Protocol amending the Convention for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and capital.

Bahrain at a Glance

The four Seasons Hotel and it`s exceptional view.