"Trade between Russia and Bahrain is developing very fast"
Bahrain is ready to receive a visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the final decision on the date of the trip depends on Moscow. The country's ambassador to Russia, Ahmed Abdulrahman Mahmoud Ismail Al-Saati, told Izvestia. According to him, Manama considers the Russian Federation as a strategic partner, Bahrain expects the growth of mutual trade in 2025. Next year Bahrain will be the guest of honor at SPIEF, meanwhile the kingdom will host many cultural events related to Russia. About the cooperation between the two countries in the field of logistics and the situation in Syria - in an exclusive interview of the Bahraini ambassador to Izvestia.
"Russia is a good friend, and we are proud of our relations"
- On December 8, it became known that President Bashar al-Assad decided to resign as president of Syria and left the country. How does Bahrain assess the current situation in Syria?
- The Kingdom of Bahrain is closely following the latest developments in the Syrian Arab Republic, concerned about the security and stability of the Syrian state, the preservation of its sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, as well as the protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law.
The Foreign Ministry called on all parties and parts of the Syrian people to prioritize the supreme interests of the nation and its citizens, preserve state institutions and the security of vital and economic facilities.
Bahrain supports regional and international efforts to assist the Syrian people. We support its desire to build a bright future with security, stability, unity and justice, to facilitate the return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes as part of the reconstruction plan, to build democratic institutions, to achieve peace and stability and to restore the vital role of the State in the Arab and international community.
- Does Bahrain consider Russia as a strategic partner?
- Of course. Russia is a big player, a member of the UN Security Council, and it plays a big role in peace, security, prosperity and everything else. We have an ongoing dialog and discussion between all parties, I mean ministers, our colleagues, to develop and improve our relations. We are celebrating 35 years of diplomatic relations and we look forward to new agreements. We will also be the guests of honor at the international forum in St. Petersburg next year. We represent Bahrain to Russia as the hub of the Arab world in oil, gas, tourism and all kinds of business. We are receiving very many delegations this year and next year. We have many visits to exchange information about pipelines. The leaders of our countries agreed that next year will be the year of Russian culture in Bahrain, so we will have a lot of events, including musical, artistic events (Bahraini Cultural Days are held in Russia in 2024 and Russian Seasons in Bahrain in 2025. - "Izvestia"). So yes, Russia is a good friend, and we are proud of our relations.
- Are trade relations between the countries growing now?
- Actually business is growing and trade between Russia and Bahrain is developing very fast. We are looking for areas to improve, especially in tourism, education, and also medicine. These areas have great potential. We support the exchange of visits between delegations and we expect it to increase even more soon, maybe in 2025. Because a lot of businessmen have now come to Russia and it seemed to them very promising for a fruitful future.
"We are always happy to see Vladimir Putin in fraternal Bahrain," he said
- Is it possible that King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain will visit Russia next year?
- He was here just a few months ago. It was his fourth visit to Russia in the last 10 years. He comes almost every two years. It's not on the agenda yet, but everybody likes to come to Russia to have a friendly discussion. As far as I know, it is not planned for next year yet.
- Is Vladimir Putin's return visit to Bahrain now planned?
- Actually it depends on the Russian side. We are always happy to see him in brotherly Bahrain. I know his Excellency is very busy with many issues at the moment, so we will leave it up to him.
"Bahrain is a very small country and we don't have such big ambitions"
- Russia and Bahrain earlier signed a memorandum of understanding on transportation and transit. The document, in particular, should serve to realize the potential of the North-South international transport corridor. Is there already concrete cooperation in this direction?
- Not at the moment, but we are always open for cooperation in any area of logistics, be it "North-South" or "East-South". As you know, Bahrain's geographical location is in the center of the Middle East, in the Persian Gulf. It is well positioned for transit and re-export. So we see our country as a center for import and export of Russian goods. So yes, we would be happy if there are any plans to improve exchanges between the countries. Bahrain has an open and free economic policy.
- Is Bahrain interested in joining the Northern Sea Route project?
- Bahrain is a very small country and we don't have such big ambitions. We are focused on our own territory, and the North is very far away from us, and maybe that is more our capacity. So maybe other countries around us, our neighbors who have larger populations and economies, can contribute. But we prefer to play the role of a hub and crossroads between East and West, North and South.
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