Category: Politics

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met today the President of the United Republic of the Comoros Colonel Azali Assouman.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Group of 77+China Summit in Havana, the Republic of Cuba.

According to SPA, Prince Faisal conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the President and their sincere wishes of further progress and prosperity to the government and people of the United Republic of the Comoros.

President Assouman conveyed his greetings to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH Crown Prince and his wishes for further progress and prosperity for the Saudi government and people.

The meeting reviewed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them in various fields as well as the latest international developments.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

The King Salman Park Foundation announced the signing of an agreement with Saudi Tabreed for King Salman Park’s first district cooling plant at a capacity of 60,000 tons of refrigeration (TR) over the next 25 years.

The agreement, on a build, own, operate, transfer (BOOT) basis, addresses the infrastructure and cooling demands of the project, in alignment with the King Salman Park Foundation’s commitment to the realization of Saudi Vision 2030 goals to create a vibrant and healthy society.

George Tanasijevich, Chief Executive Officer of King Salman Park Foundation said, “The establishment of a district cooling plant in the park is part of our ongoing dedication to creating a world-class destination and an urban icon that will enhance the lives of its residents and visitors.”

As part of this agreement, King Salman Park Foundation will off-take 20,000 TR allocated for the First Phase of the project. The remaining 40,000 TR will be provided based on market demand and with project completion.

Within this framework, Saudi Tabreed will provide the latest cooling and air-conditioning systems through a centralized plant, greatly reducing power generation requirements and electricity consumption in addition to decreasing the effects of global warming and limiting areas that require conventional air-conditioning.

The Managing Director for Saudi Tabreed, Eng. Sulaiman Al-Khilwi commented: “Our partnership affirms our commitment to addressing the infrastructure and cooling demands of current and upcoming urban projects in Saudi Arabia, as well as solidifying Saudi Tabreed’s position as a leader in District Cooling.”

Fawaz Almalik, Investment & Partnership Attractions Executive Director at King Salman Park Foundation, commented: “The King Salman Park Foundation is adapting various partnership models, providing unique opportunities for investors, and encouraging the private sector to offer best-in-class facilities and services as evidenced by the awarded agreement to establish the Park’s first district cooling under a BOOT model structure. This approach aims to ensure the Park’s financial sustainability while also enhancing its social and economic impact on Riyadh and Saudi Arabia.”

King Salman Park is one of the world’s most ambitious and transformative urban regeneration projects, harmoniously bringing together people, nature, and a city. The park will also support Riyadh’s global profile, contributing to making it one of the world’s most livable cities.

The park not only offers the largest green space in Riyadh, but also provides a rich variety of cultural, arts, entertainment, sports, recreational, commercial, and residential facilities, together with attractions including the Royal Arts Complex, the Visitor Pavilion, and several museums.

With these diverse options and benefits, King Salman Park will become a unique destination for citizens, residents, and tourists by offering new lifestyles that enhance quality of life and allow visitors to engage in new experiences and live unforgettable moments.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Members of the Saudi-Iraqi Parliamentary Friendship Committee of the Shura Council, headed by Dr. Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al-Qannas, has met with the Iraqi National Wisdom Movement Leader Ammar Al-Hakim in Baghdad.

The officials discussed ways of strengthening ties, as well as the important role the parliamentary friendship committee plays in boosting cooperation between the two countries.

The delegation also held a meeting with the First Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi House of Representatives Mohsen Al-Mandalawi, during which the two sides underlined the depth of relations between the two countries, the importance of activating the role of the joint friendship committee, and the need to increase coordination in parliamentary positions at international and regional forums.

The meetings were attended by the Saudi Ambassador to the Republic of Iraq Abdulaziz Al-Shammari, and the chairman and members of the Joint Parliamentary Friendship Committee in the Iraqi House of Representatives.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah met yesterday in Tegucigalpa with Honduran Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular and Migration Affairs Antonio Garcia with whom he discussed relief and humanitarian issues.

Garcia praised the noble role played by Saudi Arabia in the humanitarian field and commended KSrelief’s efforts to assist people around the world.

Honduran Secretary of State in the Office of the Presidency Rodolfo Pastor de Maria and Saudi Ambassador to the United Mexican States and Non-Resident Ambassador to the Republic of Honduras Haitham Al-Malki attended the meeting.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has received a special gift from Russian President, Vladimir Putin.

The gift, which is one of the best rare Siberian falcons, reflects President Putin’s appreciation of HM King Hamad, as well as the distinguished relations between the two leaders.

The rare falcon was presented to Ahmed Abdulrahman Al-Saati, Bahrain’s Ambassador to Russia, during his participation in the Eastern Economic Forum, held in the Russian city of Vladivostok under the patronage of President Putin.

An exhibition of rare Siberian falcons was held on the sidelines of the forum.

President Putin requested the Ambassador to convey his greetings to HM King Hamad, and expressed his appreciation for the participation of Bahrain in the forum.

The Russian President also directed to designate Bahrain as a “Guest of Honour” of the “St. Petersburg International Economic Forum”, set be held on June 5-8, 2024, as a token of gratitude from President Putin to Bahrain, led by HM the King and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

The Minister of Interior General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa has today chaired the Civil Defence Council meeting.

The session was attended by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture, Minister of Oil and Environment, Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunication, Minister of Works, Minister of Information and Chief of Public Security.

Addressing the session, the Interior Minister expressed thanks and gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, hailing royal support to national efforts to promote public safety.

He hailed the support and follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, through the Government’s adoption of the sustainable development goals and procedures to limit disaster risks and environment protection in the government action plan to increase security and safety levels for all citizens and residents.

The meeting reviewed the plan to form a search and rescue team with tasks outside the countries to reflect Bahrain’s abilities in participating in disaster and crisis management.

The Interior Minister asserted the importance of providing the team with the required logistic and administrative requirements. The council also discussed the voluntary project for the civil defence service, in which the members approved the finalisation of administration procedures to start the project. The panel also discussed the National Emergency Strategy and national risk management indicators.

The minister affirmed that Bahrain adopted the sustainable development goals through the comprehensive civil protection system to limit risks and reinforce national readiness for emergency management, focusing on cooperation and coordination between all segments of society of ministries, organisations and individuals per international general safety indicators and standards.

He highlighted the importance of national exercises for different emergency scenarios in association with concerned authorities, plans and methods development, and benefits from modern telecommunication and technological methods. He highlighted the role of the media in following incidents, posting facts and highlighting safety cultures to limit emergency risks.

During the meeting, the Chief of Public Security, also the Chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee, said that a systematic method for the National Risk Register had been updated, including identifying and evaluating risks and developing appropriate plans to confront them.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) signed yesterday a cooperation agreement with the International War and Disaster Victims Protection Association to operate the Prosthetic Limbs and Rehabilitation Center in Aden Governorate, from which 3,543 individuals stand to benefit.

KSrelief Assistant Supervisor General for Operations and Programs Eng. Ahmed bin Ali Al-Beez signed the agreement at the center’s headquarters in Riyadh.

Director of the Health and Environmental Aid Department at KSrelief Abdullah Al-Muallem said in a statement to the press that the agreement aims to offer physical and functional rehabilitation services to people with special needs who have prosthetic limbs in order to help them find jobs, to determine the treatment plan for every patient, individually, in order to fit each with the needed prosthetic limb, to improve the technical and professional capabilities of the medical staff by training them to deal with specific cases, and to reduce the migration of specialized medical personnel.

This agreement is a testament to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to humanitarian efforts worldwide, in this case exerted through KSrelief in support of the Yemeni people.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Adel bin Abdulrahman Al Asoomi, Arab Parliament Speaker, participated in the first Arab Forum for Parliamentary Media, under the theme “Parliamentary Media and Digitisation… Opportunities and Challenges,” organised by the Arab Administrative Development Organisation (ARADO) of the Arab League.

Al Asoomi affirmed that the leading Bahraini experience with parliamentary media based on digitisation was modeled after His Majesty’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s vision of continued modernization and utilising the outcome of the technological revolution across all sectors, supported by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The Speaker emphasised that the Bahraini parliamentary media has become increasingly dependent on digitalisation, which enhances its role in highlighting the efforts made by all parties involved in the parliamentary process, and by enhancing direct communication between citizens and parliamentary officials. He added that this also served to highlight parliamentary work and parliamentary engagement abroad.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fouad Hussein, received today, Tuesday, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Challenberg, in the Ministry building in Baghdad.

The two sides discussed aspects of bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to enhance them in various fields.

Minister Fouad Hussein expressed, according to a statement by the Foreign Ministry, Iraq’s keenness on bilateral cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of the two friendly countries, in addition to strengthening coordination mechanisms and political consultation on regional and international issues of common interest.

He touched on the work of Austrian companies in Iraq and the return of flights to Austrian Airlines, pointing out that the discussions included opening the way and helping Austrian Airlines to return its flights to Iraq.

He pointed out that Iraq’s relations with Iran are strong and this relationship prevents the use of violence, noting that Iraq refuses to use its territory to attack Iran by some groups, and we also reject the threat to Iraqi sovereignty.

He pointed out that Iraq is committed to the agreement concluded with the Iranian side, which included removing armed groups from the border and transferring them to camps deep in the region and far from the border, stressing that he will visit Iran tomorrow to discuss the implementation of this agreement by both sides.

He pointed out that the security agreement with Austria does not mean adding foreign forces to Iraq, he pointed out that the security agreement with Austria is based on advice, training and mutual cooperation.

For his part, Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg said that his visit to Baghdad came at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein to reopen the Austrian Embassy in Baghdad and to discuss a number of political, economic and security files.

He stated that he signed an agreement in the field of internal security in Iraq, indicating that this agreement must take its proper role. /End

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Muhammad Al-Halbousi, received today, Tuesday, the new British Ambassador to Iraq, Stephen Hitchen.

Al-Halbousi’s office stated in a statement: “The meeting discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, and confirmed the continuation of joint cooperation in various fields. Al-Halbousi expressed his wishes for success and good luck to the British Ambassador in his new duties.”/End

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The House of Representatives discussed, in its session held today, Tuesday, the water crisis in the presence of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Water Resources./End

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Muhammad Al-Halbousi, received today, Tuesday, the Turkish Ambassador to Iraq, Ali Reza Gonay.

Al-Halbousi’s office stated in a statement: “The meeting discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, ways to enhance cooperation in the security and economic fields, the water file, and a number of topics of common interest.”/End

Source: National Iraqi News Agency