Bahraini PM receives UK minister Alistair Burt

His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa said that development and reform steps in the kingdom are confident and continuous, noting that the Government of Bahrain is committed to protecting human rights and public freedoms and is keen to honour all its pledges and commitments, particularly the implementation of the recommendations of both the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) and the Human Rights Council. HRH Premier affirmed that violence is rejected and should be denounced by all sides. "In a country like Bahrain, which enjoys democracy and the rule of the law, there is no room for disorder and violation of the law in the name of freedom and rights," he said, stressing that "No one is above the law under which all are equal." HRH Premier emphasized that the popular will is guaranteed through the Representatives Council, the exclusive house of the people, whose members are elected directly by all citizens of Bahrain. This came as HRH Premier received at the Gudaibiya Palace today the UK Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt. HRH Premier affirmed that during His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's prosperous era, the kingdom has achieved all the requirements of democracy and is determined to go ahead with the development and reform march and address the shortcomings according to its potentials and limited resources. The Prime Minister pointed out that shortcomings exist in every country, but should not be used as an excuse for violence and anarchy, stressing that "violence serves no cause and we condemn it, as the world does, because we seek stability through which we can achieve our development goals." HRH Premier hailed the advanced level of the outstanding deep-rooted Bahraini-UK ties of cooperation and friendship, affirming that the solidity of those relations will enable the two countries to achieve their joint interests in all fields. HRH Premier praised the existing coordination and understanding between the two friendly countries, expressing optimism that bilateral relations will be consolidated further in the coming period through more cooperation and exchange of expertise and experiences. On his part, the UK Minister lauded HRH Premier's "extraordinary" efforts to advance the kingdom and enable it to keep abreast of the world's developments in various fields. He also stressed that "violence changes nothing but worsens the situation further." The UK Official lauded the reform achievements and steps taken by the kingdom out of its "sincere desire" to push the reform process forward. He also affirmed his country's support to the kingdom of Bahrain, as a "friend and ally to the UK". He also said that the UK backs the initiative to resume the National Consensus Dialogue in light of the positive atmosphere created for it, calling upon all national groups and segments to ensure its success. He also said that his country is keen to bolster its cooperation ties with Bahrain.