Bahrain to set up embassy here

KUALA LUMPUR: Bahrain will set up an embassy in Malaysia to strengthen ties between the two countries.

A Malaysia-Bahrain High Joint Commission co-chaired by the two nations’ foreign ministers will also be set up to serve as an umbrella framework for this bilateral cooperation.

Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the historic state visit to Malaysia by the King of Bahrain, King Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, had taken the cordial relationship between both countries to a higher level and paved the way for a greater exchange of technical, scientific and technological expertise, as well as security and defence coordination.

“At the meeting between His Majesty King Hamad and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Tuesday night, they agreed that both countries should bolster industrial, trade, investment, education and defence cooperation,” Hishammuddin, who is the Special Functions Minister, said on behalf of Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman at a Bahrain-Malaysia joint press conference here yesterday.

Hishammuddin, who is also Defence Minister and Minister in Attendance for the state visit, announced that a joint military exercise between both countries is on the cards.

“We will stage a joint exercise for the Bahraini military in Malaysia first and reciprocate by sending our soldiers there, so that both our armed forces can experience different battlefronts.

Formal introduction: Hishammuddin introducing Malaysia ambassador to Bahrain Agus Salim Yusof (centre) to the media after a press conference in Kuala Lumpur. Looking on is Sheikh Khalid.

 

“We also agreed to exchange intelligence in our war against planned Daesh-led terrorist attacks not only on Bahrain and Malaysia’s shores but also in the region,” he said, referring to militant group Islamic State by its Arabic language acronym.

Bahrain Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid Ahmed Al Khalifa said King Hamad was pleased with his four-day visit and the hospitality accorded to him and his entourage throughout.

“Malaysia and Bahrain have a very similar political and social climate.

“The embassy will show our seriousness in fostering a closer relationship with Malaysia,” he said.

The joint commission will meet within two months to follow up on whatever has been discussed and agreed upon by both countries, he added.

Among other things, both countries will review immigration requirements to encourage unrestricted travel between Malaysia and Bahrain.

Sheikh Khalid added that the embassy here would handle many aspects, from investments to student exchange as well as commerce and industry.

“This visit by the King of Bahrain to meet the King of Malaysia is a milestone that will see more cooperation, a win-win situation for both countries and prosperity in all aspects,” he said.

In a press statement issued by Wisma Putra, the two countries stressed the importance of continuing regular bilateral consultation through existing mechanisms and welcomed the setting up of the joint commission.

It added that both countries had agreed to encourage their investors to foster closer trade ties; to leverage Bahrain’s position as a “gateway to the Gulf” and a hub of Islamic finance; and to tap into the potential of Malaysia’s position in the heart of the Asean Economic Community.