New York: Europe and the Arabs

Bahrain's Foreign Minister, Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, said that peace is the strategic choice towards a safer, more stable and more prosperous world. According to what was reported in the daily United Nations news bulletin, a copy of which we received this morning
In his speech before the annual debate of the United Nations General Assembly, Al-Zayani said that his country succeeded in transferring its pioneering experience to the world in tolerance, peaceful coexistence, respect for human rights, and stimulating the values of solidarity, international humanitarian and development work.
He added that Bahrain has set a set of priorities, realizing that international cooperation based on mutual trust, sincere intentions and common understanding is the best way to overcome common challenges.
He explained that the first of these priorities is to give priority to the language of dialogue and the peaceful approach in ending wars and settling disputes, foremost of which is advancing the peace process in the Middle East region and supporting the rights of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state.
He expressed his country's support for the continuation of the UN humanitarian truce in Yemen.
He also pointed out that his country supports achieving sustainable peaceful solutions to the crises in Syria, Lebanon, Sudan, Libya and Afghanistan, “in a way that preserves the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of these countries.”

"Positive developments"
The Bahraini Foreign Minister also pointed out his country’s emphasis on establishing international relations based on the principles of good neighborliness, respect for international law, the sovereignty and stability of states, and non-interference in their internal affairs, expressing his country’s appreciation for “the positive developments represented by Syria’s return to the Arab League, and the resumption of Saudi-Iranian diplomatic relations.” .
Among Bahrain's priorities in confronting various challenges, Al-Zayani touched on spreading the values of tolerance, a culture of peace, and dialogue between religions, cultures, and civilizations.
He called on the international community to respond to his country's call to adopt an international agreement to criminalize religious, sectarian, and racist hate speech.
Al-Zayani also stressed the importance of cooperation and coordination in combating terrorism and drying up its sources, intensifying efforts to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction, cooperating in protecting the security of commercial navigation and energy supplies in the Gulf region, and combating cybercrimes.
He expressed his country's welcome to the economic corridor project, which will link India to the European continent via the Middle East
The Bahraini Foreign Minister offered his country's condolences to both Morocco and Libya for the victims of the earthquake that struck several regions in Morocco, and the floods that swept through the Libyan city of Derna.

The role of women
The Bahraini Foreign Minister said that his country was able to "provide a model of political development and consolidate the state of law and institutions within the framework of the separation of powers and their cooperation in accordance with the constitution."
He praised the exercise by the House of Representatives in his country of its legislative and oversight powers, and the establishment of justice within the framework of an impartial and independent judicial authority with the support of independent human rights institutions.
He pointed out that his country is proud of the establishment of an advanced and pioneering legislative system that “enhanced respect for human rights and political and civil freedoms.”
He touched on what his country has achieved in terms of combating the Covid-19 epidemic, saying that his country has provided “a civilized humanitarian example in combating the Corona virus pandemic,” indicating the continuation of implementing the economic recovery plan.
He also pointed out that his country advanced on the list of countries with high human development to rank second in the Arab world and 35th in the world, as well as occupying first place in the Arab world and 21st in the world in the World Happiness Report for 2022.
He also emphasized Bahrain's distinction in the field of digital transformation, as it was classified among the leading countries in digital government and first in the world in Internet penetration, according to the World Bank, in addition to approving a national strategy to support the transformation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the digital economy.
Al-Zayani spoke about women's participation, saying that his country "is proud of women's progress and contributions as an active partner in the process of comprehensive development achievements."