HM the King hails Bahraini diplomacy on its Golden Jubilee

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa has today received, at Al-Sakhir Palace, senior Foreign Ministry officials, heads of Bahrain’s missions abroad and diplomats accredited to Bahrain marking the Golden Jubilee of Bahrain’s Diplomacy and the Diplomatic Day, which fall on the 14th of January 2019. 

HM the King hailed the 50th anniversary of Bahrain’s formal diplomacy, hailing landmark achievement in highlighting the identity of the Kingdom’s foreign policy and its decades-long commitment to consolidating world solidarity and enhancing human security. 

He lauded Bahrain’s diplomacy for its ability to grasp the requirements of international changes and understanding global challenges, which enabled the country to keep abreast of circumstances and take stances which balance between strategic priorities and international obligations. 

He underlined Bahrain’s success, through its pro-active diplomacy, in building a strong network of international coalitions and partnerships, which are based on respect of countries’ sovereignty, good neighbourliness, building bridges of understanding and rapprochement of views.

He hailed Bahrain’s diplomatic relations, which are based good intentions, adding that the Kingdom would always maintain its diplomatic approach which stems from the kind mettle of its people and its openness to the world. 

He paid tribute to the founders Bahrain’s national diplomacy, hailing the strenuous efforts exerted by those who follow into their steps to communicate Bahrain’s firm voice which reflects its positive image and support to world stability and welfare. 

HM the King stressed the importance of focusing on efforts to build and develop competences, invest in expertise and enhancing the standard of diplomatic work. 

He gave directives to turn the Diplomatic Institute into an Academy for Diplomatic Studies, which will be named after His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, the pioneer of Bahraini diplomacy and one of its first founder, hailing his high performance and dedication in serving the nation in all arenas. 

HM the King proclaimed the 14th of January to be annual occasion to honour diplomats and recognise their achievements in serving the Kingdom of Bahrain and enhancing its standing among nations.

Deputy Premier Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa addressed the ceremony, held under the patronage of HM the King, marking the golden jubilee of the Foreign Ministry. He outlined the prolific march of Bahrain’s diplomacy, paying homage to late Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, who issued decree 1 of 1969 establishment of the foreign department, which lay the foundation for the Foreign Ministry. 

Deputy Premier Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, who was the first to serve as foreign minister, stressing the significance of the step, on the path towards building national sovereignty. He paid tribute to His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, hailing his wise policy and statesmanship in confronting the Iranian expansionist designs in the region, particularly in Bahrain, and leading negotiations with the support of regional and international parties, confirming Bahrain’s Arab identity, sovereignty and independence.

He underlined the achievement of Bahraini diplomacy which succeeded to keep abreast of international challenges and shifts over the past decades, paying tribute to HRH the Premier and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister for their support. 

He said that the strenuous decades-long Arab and international diplomatic efforts paid off when Bahrain became member of the United Nations (UN) International Security Council (1998-1999), in addition to the election of the first Arab woman to serve as UN General Assembly President. 

Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa also addressed the ceremony, paying tribute to HM the King, HRH the Premier and HRH the Crown Prince for their unwavering support. 

He underlined Bahrain’s success in adopting a pro-active diplomacy that defends the Kingdom’s vital interests abroad, contributes to projecting its civilized image, bolsters its regional and international standing, backs Arab and Islamic issues and confront challenges facing the international community for a more secure and stable future for all humanity. 

He hailed HM the King’s royal initiative to name the Academy of Diplomatic Studies after HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, in recognizing of his status, landmark diplomatic achievements since the establishment of the Foreign Ministry. 

He paid tribute to HM the King for proclaiming the 14th of January to be an annual occasion to honour diplomats and recognise their achievements in serving the Kingdom of Bahrain and enhancing its standing among nations. The Foreign Minister then presented HM the King with a commemorative gift.