Bahrain : His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received at Gudaibiyah Palace today President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro.
After holding the official reception protocols, the Brazilian President greeted members of the Bahraini side and HM the King greeted the accompanying delegation of the Brazilian President.
Then, HM the King held a discussion session with the Brazilian President during which they reviewed relations and cooperation between the two friendly countries and ways of bolstering them.
The Brazilian President thanked HM the King for the gracious welcome and hospitality and for his keenness to enhance bilateral relations.
After that, HM the King held an extended discussion session in the presence of the Bahraini and Brazilian sides.
In a speech delivered on the occasion, HM the King welcomed the Brazilian President and his accompanying delegation, praising growing relations of friendship between the two countries. He described the visit as a step forward to promote bilateral relations and cooperation, congratulating the Brazilian President on patronizing the opening the Brazilian embassy in Manama. “We look forward, in turn, to the official opening of the embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Brasilia soon as this will have a great impact on boosting out diplomatic relations and common interests,” HM the King said.
HM the King hailed the Brazilian President’s ratification of the air services agreement between both countries. He also stressed that the signing of a number of memoranda of understanding and agreements reflects common keenness to foster bilateral cooperation in various fields.
HM the King reiterated thanks and appreciation to the Brazilian President for patronizing a celebration held by the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence to inaugurate the Declaration of Bahrain in South America. “This confirms what we agree on about the need to continue spreading the values of tolerance, coexistence and enlightened thought to promote harmony and peace for the good of all mankind,” HM affirmed.
HM the King bestowed on the Brazilian President the Order of Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the highest decoration in the Kingdom of Bahrain, in tribute for his efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation.
The President of the Federative Republic of Brazil gave a speech in which he expressed happiness about visiting Bahrain and meeting HM the King for the first time. He thanked HM the King and the Bahraini people for the gracious welcome he received with his accompanying delegation. He described his visit to the kingdom as a new page in relations between both countries. He also invited HM the King to visit Brazil, stressing the importance of continuous dialogue in further cementing relations and benefiting from the available opportunities. “Today, we are taking an important step towards a deeper relationship: The opening of the Brazilian embassy in Manama, a major sign of Brazil’s intent to establish solid relations with Bahrain,” he said.
“I do also feel grateful for HM the King’s wise initiative to open Bahrain’s embassy in Brasilia in 2018,” he added, underlining the importance of this step in promoting rapprochement and developing partnership that goes beyond political dialogue. He also pointed out growing economic cooperation between both countries, expressing keenness on boosting investments. He also noted that the signing of a cooperation agreement in the defence field will further deepen bilateral relations in the region.
“Brazil has a reliable, diversified and advanced industrial defence base, ready to meet Bahraini needs,” the Brazilian President said, stressing common keenness to promote peace and stability in the region and the world. He also commended Bahrain’s efforts to foster religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The Brazilian President conferred on HM the King the Grand Collar of the Brazilian National Medal of the Southern Cross, the highest decoration in Brazil, in tribute for HM’s role and efforts to consolidate relations between the two friendly countries.
HM the King bestowed the Order of Bahrain-First Class on the Brazilian President’s wife.
HM the King also bestowed the “Order of Bahrain” on national team player Ali Munfaridi for winning gold in the World jiu-jitsu Championship which was organised by the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation in Abu Dhabi, the UAE. He also bestowed the Order of Competence on Shaikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Salman Al Khalifa, Ahmed Abdulhamid Ali Al Aradi, Bader Jamal Jassim Mohammed Namshan Al Dosari, Soghra Abdelrazaq Ismail Mubarak and Hassan Makki Mahdi Ali Abdullah.
HM the King and the Brazilian President presented the players with the medals in appreciation of their efforts to clinch gold.
His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa presented the Brazilian President with a commemorative gift.
A number of agreements and memoranda of understanding have been signed in the presence of HM the King and the Brazilian President. They are:
1- An agreement on mutual exemption from visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, special and official passports. It was concluded by Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Dr. Abdellatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and his Brazilian counterpart Carlos Alberto Franco Franca.
2- A memorandum of understanding between Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies and the Rio Branco Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Brazil. It aims to boost cooperation in training diplomats and exchanging information and expertise. It was concluded by the Foreign Ministers of both countries.
3- A memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the sport field. It was concluded by the Foreign Ministers of both countries.
4- A memorandum of understanding between Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) and the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism to boost cultural cooperation. It was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Brazilian Secretary of Culture Mario Frias.
5- A memorandum of understanding between the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence and the Brazilian Ministry of Women, Family and Human Rights. It was concluded by Board of Trustees Chairman of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence Dr. Shaikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and the Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
HM the King and the Brazilian President hailed the signing of the agreements and memorandums of understanding which will contribute to boosting bilateral relations and cooperation.
HM the King hosted a lunch banquet in honor of the Brazilian President and his accompanying delegation.
The Mission of Honor was formed under the presidency of Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani.
