Jordan Times
Saturday, November 6, 1999
Jordan, Bahrain to enhance bilateral ties in various fields
MANAMA (Agencies) — Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania returned to Amman on Friday evening following a two-day visit to Bahrain during which the King held talks with Bahraini Emir Sheikh Hamad Ben Issa Al Khalifah on pan-Arab issues and questions of mutual concern.
The King said his talks in Bahrain covered issues of concern to the Arab Nation and showed that Jordan and the Gulf emirate held identical views on various issues.
In a cable to Sheikh Hamad upon leaving Bahrain, the King noted that the two countries maintain very strong relations and are bent to pursue efforts towards strengthening pan-Arab solidarity and ending side differences.
Expressing appreciation of the hospitality accorded to the Jordanian delegation during the visit, His Majesty wished Sheikh Hamad happiness and the Bahraini people continued progress and prosperity.
King Abdullah and the Bahraini leader on Thursday discussed bilateral cooperation in various economic, cultural, educational and information fields.
The two leaders agreed to boost bilateral cooperation in military fields.
King Abdullah and Sheikh Hamad also discussed means to stimulate the works of the Higher Joint Jordanian-Bahraini Committee and stressed the need for convening the committee as soon as possible. They also underlined the need for intensifying meetings between representatives of the various sectors in the two countries, in view of the positive results of such meetings.
The two leaders also discussed regional and international issues, and called for greater Arab solidarity.
The meeting was attended by HRH Prince Faisal Ibn Al Hussein, HRH Prince Ghazi Ibn Mohammad, the King's advisor for Tribal Affairs, Ali Fazza'a, the King's information advisor, the Royal court Imam Ahmad Helayyel and Jordan's ambassador to Bahrain Loay Khashman.
On the Bahraini side, the meeting was attended by Bahraini Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa Ben Salman Al Khalifa, the Bahraini Crown Prince and General Commander of Bahraini armed forces Sheikh Salman Ben Hamad Al Khalifa, Foreign Minister Mohammad Mubarak, in addition to Ministers of Interior, Defence, Communications, Royal Court, and Minister of State for Emiri Court and the Bahraini ambassador to Jordan .
King Abdullah decorated Sheikh Hamad with Al Hussein Ben Ali Medal, and the Bahraini Prime Minister with the embossed Al Nahda medal.
Sheikh Hamad also decorated King Abdullah with the Caliph's Qiladeh, the highest Bahraini decoration.
Sheikh Hamad hosted a dinner at Al Bustan Palace in honour of King Abdullah. The dinner was attended by members of the delegation accompanying King Abdullah, as well as senior Bahraini officials.
King Abdullah and Queen Rania arrived in Bahrain earlier on Thursday. The King's visit is his first working visit to Bahrain. He visited the emirate in March to offer his condolences over the death of Sheikh Hamad's father, the late Sheikh Issa Bin Hamad al-Khalifah.
Sheikh Hamad visited Jordan in June.
The King will also to visit Qatar “in a few days' time” for a brief working visit, during which he will hold talks with Emir Hamad Bin Khalifah al-Thani.
The King And the Queen were received at Amman airport by HRH Prince Mohammad Ben Talal, Royal Court Chief Abdul Karim Kabariti, cabinet members and other officials.
Returning with the King were their Royal Highnesses Princess Faisal and Prince Ghazi Ben Mohammad and Princess Areej Ghazi.