Remarks by H.E. Mr. Sompong Amornvivat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand at the Opening Ceremony of the Pictorial Exhibition in Honour of H.H. Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, 10 November 2008, Hall of Fame, Siam Paragon Shopping Complex, Bangkok
May It Please Your Royal Highness,
It is an honour to be part of today’s Opening Ceremony graciously presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The gracious presence of Her Royal Highness here today reaffirms the importance Thailand attaches to Bahrain. We are also honoured to have with us His Excellency Shaikh Hussam bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Head of Delegation from the Prime Minister’s Court of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
With Your Royal Highness’ permission, I now humbly beg to take this opportunity to say a few words on the Exhibition and Thai-Bahrain relations.
The Exhibition to be opened today is in honour of His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and 2006 recipient of the Special Citation of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, or UN-HABITAT, Scroll of Honour Award.
His Highness has done much for His people and the development of His country. He is also a valued friend of Thailand and has played a key role in promoting friendship and cooperation between our two Kingdoms. On behalf of the Royal Thai Government, I therefore wish to join the people of Bahrain in celebrating His Highness’ outstanding achievements.
The history of development and modernization in Bahrain is a fascinating one. Bahrain’s strategic location has always made her a major trading centre. But it is undoubtedly under the gracious, wise and far-sighted leadership of His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa that the foundations for Bahrain’s continued success and prosperity have been secured. Today, Bahrain is not only at the heart of the Arabian Gulf, but also of the world.
His Highness Shaikh Khalifa has devoted 40 years to raising the living standards of His people and developing His country. I believe the Exhibition will make this clear. Under His Highness’ leadership, Bahrain has developed an inclusive housing policy, housing finance systems and good urban governance. Bahrain’s poor and disadvantaged have been given increased access to housing. Poverty in the country has been reduced.
Therefore, His Highness deserves the international recognition given to Him. Most recently, the Government of Bahrain and UN-HABITAT have created an Award in His name. The Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa Award was launched last week at the World Urban Forum in Nanjing, China. It will be given to people devoted to the promotion of the ideals and principles of equity and good governance in housing and urban development policies and practice.
His Highness’ devotion to the prosperity of His nation is an example to us all. We hope to learn from Him through this Exhibition. We also hope that this Exhibition will provide a good opportunity for the Thai people to learn more about Bahrain and her great Prime Minister. And we also hope that it will not only strengthen our relations, but also open up windows for further cooperation between us at all levels.
And, once again, may I humbly express my deep appreciation to Your Royal Highness for graciously presiding over the Opening Ceremony today.
Thank you.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.