Bahraini deputy PM meets with Czech deputy PM

Deputy Premier, Shaikh Khalid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, met today with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Karel Schwarzenberg, on the occasion of the end of his visit to Czech Capital Prague, where they discussed ways of supporting and reinforcing bilateral relations to achieve the aspirations of the peoples of both countries. Shaikh Khalid lauded the level of the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries, expressing his thanks and appreciation to the Czech Government for the generous reception and great hospitality he and the accompanying delegation received during their official visit, where he met with a number of ministers and officials discussing issues of common interests. For his part, Karel Schwarzenberg praised the high level of construction and development in Bahrain, stressing his country’s keenness to reinforce its cooperation with the Kingdom. Meanwhile, both sides signed a Memorandum of Cooperation, and agreed to strengthen relations and encourage initiatives aiming at reinforcing the economic and trade ties, and provide special concern to the manufacture of metal, aluminum, petrochemicals, engineering, construction, and management of water, energy and infrastructure. Both sides agreed on the need to encourage investors of the private sector in both countries to participate in joint projects in the area of manufacturing industries, where they benefit from using aluminum, raw mineral materials and semi-finished products produced in Bahrain. They also stressed that the Convention on mutual protection of investments and the agreement to avoid double taxation, that are enforced, will consolidate the joint efforts between the two countries. Both sides also expressed their desire to cooperate in the area of defence, security and exchange of technologies and expertise. They also highlighted the need to exchange expertise in the area of legislation and monitoring systems in hospitals, medical centers and curative resorts. Both the Bahraini and Czech sides pointed out the need to train health workers and recruit the qualified health care staff, and establish partnership between the health institutions in both countries. They also discussed establishing centers for physiotherapy and medical rehabilitation in the Kingdom of Bahrain based on the Czech model through encouraging investors in both countries to establish joint projects. Both sides also discussed cooperation in various areas, such as the area of education, culture, sports as well as exchanging information and experiences. At the end of the visit, Czech Deputy Premier hosted a luncheon in honor of Deputy Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalid Bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, and his accompanying delegation.