Saudi Arabia reforms good for Arab world: Bahrain minister

Dubai: The current transformation and openness being witnessed in Saudi Arabia will be in the best interest of the Arab world and will unleash the potential of the Saudi people on many different levels, said Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, at the opening session of the Arab Media Forum on Tuesday.

In his keynote address on the first day of the 17th edition of the forum on Tuesday at Madinat Jumeirah, the minister said the most important developments in the Arab world are happening at all levels in Saudi Arabia.

Under the theme, ‘Impactful Media Trends’, the two-day forum is bringing together more than 2,500 prominent regional and international media figures and thought leaders who will share their views on diverse issues with the aim of forging a new vision for the media that supports the aspirations of the region’s people. The forum features 50 speakers representing 20 countries from across the Arab region and the world.

 The challenges with Iran today are occupation of the UAE islands and undermining of Gulf regimes. When Iran changes its policies, we will build bridges; but with the current policies, we are in confrontation.”

align="right"> - Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa | Bahrain’s Foreign Minister  

“The Arab world should rest assured because what is happening in Saudi Arabia is built on a robust foundation our ancestors built and this will be in the best interest of everyone,” he said.

“This will unleash the potential of the Saudi people. We know them very well and we know what potential they have whether on a political level, economical level, or art level; they have now found opportunity to unleash everything. The advancement of Saudi Arabia is what is in front of our eyes,” Shaikh Khalid added.

The opening session was inaugurated by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It was also attended by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, a number of top officials and other dignitaries.

During the session moderated by Muntaha Al Ramahy, anchor at Al Arabiya News Channel, Shaikh Khalid said the outlook is not so bright for Qatar.

GCC-Qatar issue

“With what we see from the Qatari regime, there is no way of reconciliation considering the time we are in, the conspiracies, interventions, the abuse, and the lack of respect to commitments, there is no way,” Shaikh Khalid said.

He added that Qatar has not honoured any pledges made in 2013 and 2014 and that there should be different measures taken to deal with the regime.

“They have signed and pledged themselves before to the late King Abdullah [but have failed] in honouring those pledges and commitments. Are we going to go through this again, no, this is not useful. There should be another formula to deal with this regime.”

GCC members Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE have been locked in a dispute with GCC member Qatar since June 5, 2017 after they severed their relations with Doha, accusing it of supporting extremists and funding terrorism.

On the topic of whether the alliance between the three countries is a beginning of a new system in the GCC, he said: The stance of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain along with Egypt also, is the basis that testifies to the strength of the GCC. If you see Qatar as a threat to GCC or change of GCC, this is over-exaggerated. We are capable of facing this and the essence of GCC is not dependent on Qatar.”

He continued: “The GCC will exist but will not be based on a country that causes crisis. We are capable as GCC to deal with this.”

‘UAE a global city’

Shaikh Khalid also spoke about the GCC’s relationship with the United States and the Trump administration, saying their relationship with the US is historical and promising and has never been linked to a president.

Also discussed were the challenges with Iran today and the current policies of Iran that must be changed.

“The two challenges with Iran today are occupation of the UAE islands and their undermining of the Gulf regimes. When Iran changes its policies and opens doors for us, we will build bridges at that time; but with their current policies, we are in confrontation,” he explained.

Shaikh Khalifa also highlighted how the UAE is a model to follow with what they have reached today and referred to it as a global city.

He also touched upon the Arab media and said it was not in crisis and is capable of combating the challenges of false news.

“I see the media as committed towards the government and society.”