Bahrain reiterates solidarity with UAE after Turkish minister’s comments

Dubai: Bahrain denounced hostile statements made by Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar against the UAE, Bahrain News Agency said on Sunday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the remarks as an unacceptable provocation that contradicts diplomatic norms and a disgraceful threat to a brotherly Arab country known for its constructive role in the international arena.

The ministry reaffirmed Bahrain’s solidarity with the UAE regarding the Turkish interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries, which contradicts the principles of the United Nations Charter and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and represents a threat to Arab national security and regional peace.

On Saturday, the UAE warned Turkey against interfering in Arab countries’ internal affairs. In a statement, Dr Anwar Gargash, UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, urged Turkey to stop interfering in Arab affairs, making a reference to the Ottoman empire that collapsed a century ago. The backlash came after Turkey spoke of so-called “malicious” actions by the UAE in Libya, where the two countries support opposing sides in its grinding conflict. Turkey can no longer behave like “the Sublime Porte and use the language of colonialism”, he said, referring to the government of the Ottoman empire which ruled the Arab world for centuries.