12th session of Manama Dialogue opens today

Manama : Conflicts ravaging Syria and Iraq will top the agenda of the twelfth edition of the Manama Dialogue that will start this evening in Bahrain.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is organising the forum in cooperation with the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in the presence of high-profile personalities from all over the world.

The two-day forum which will conclude on Sunday will focus on the unstable situation if Libya and Yemen, extremism, regional security and the future of the US policies.

The steadily-growing relations between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Asia will also rank high on the agenda of Manama Dialogue 12.

IISS director-general and executive director had announced that British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson would address the inaugural session.

UK government's official Arabic spokesperson Edwin Samuel said the participation of Johnson in Manama Dialogue 12 “reflects British commitment to protecting the GCC security and strengthening trade and economic relations with member states”.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa affirmed that the Manama Dialogue will provide an important platform for the convergence of ideas and the exchange of views among decision makers and security leaders to reach a comprehensive vision and framework capable of facing various challenges in the region as well as establish a roadmap to resolve its crisis, in accordance to the current situation.

“He pointed out that the Kingdom of Bahrain is keen to continue hosting the Manama Dialogue, which reflects its policy based on bolstering relations with various countries across the world, founded on mutual respect and joint interest as well as backing all regional and international efforts, and in solidarity with all initiatives directed to the consolidation of peace and security, which is a prerequisite for promoting economic and social development of all peoples of the region”, he added.