Bahraini PM receives turkish grand national assembly speaker

His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has called upon Muslim countries to step up political and economic cooperation among them so as to consolidate their capabilities to face modern global challenges.He requested the Joint Bahraini-Turkish Committee to convene as soon as possible in order sign agreements that boost joint trade, economic and investment cooperation.HRH Premier reiterated the kingdom's support for all steps aiming to strengthen regional relations and promote joint understanding based on mutual respect for the benefits of region's peoples.This came as he received at the Gudaibiya Palace today, in the presence of the Speaker of the Council of Representatives Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Dhahrani, the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Cemil Ciçek, currently on a visit to the kingdom.HRH Premier said that Bahrain welcomes and supports all efforts aiming to strengthen ties with friendly Turkey in all fields, especially the parliamentary one, which, he explained, has become an effective means of communication among peoples through which they can exchange expertise and experiences on ways to consolidate democracy and economic progress.He praised Turkey's supportive stances towards Bahrain's security and stability, lauding the deep-rooted bilateral relations based on mutual respect and joint coordination on various regional and global issues.He emphasised that the challenges and threats currently facing the region required its countries to advance cooperation and contain their differences, and noted that countries of the region should re-define their priorities and stand united against attempts of division, stressing that new strategic alliances are needed to foster regional security and stability.The Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly conveyed greetings from the Turkish President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyeb Erdogan to HRH Premier and their wishes of continuous good health and happiness to him and of further progress to bilateral relations.He affirmed his country's appreciation of the "positive achievements" taking place in the Kingdom of Bahrain thanks to its wise leadership, adding that Turkey supports Bahrain's policies at international gatherings, acknowledges the size of terror threats targeting it and thinks that "violence and terrorism cannot lead to reform".