RABAT — Bahrain's Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani and his accompanying delegation arrived in the Moroccan city of Laayoune on Monday, marking the first visit of a foreign minister to the city.

Al-Zayani was received upon arrival by his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita, the governor of Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra, Abdeslam Bekrate, and senior officials from the Moroccan foreign ministry.

Dr. Al-Zayani and Bourita participated in the opening of Bahrain's consulate general in the Moroccan city of Laayoune.

The ceremony was attended by Undersecretary for International Affairs Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the governor of Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region, the ambassador of Bahrain to Morocco, Khalid bin Salman bin Jabr Al-Muslim, and other officials and media figures.

Later in the day, both ministers held a meeting in which Dr. Al-Zayani affirmed the solid historic relations between the two countries, praising their development in various fields.

He also shed light on Bahrain's interest in strengthening partnership relations, bilateral cooperation, and joint coordination with Morocco, and enhancing them toward further success and prosperity.

The minister expressed Bahrain's keenness to support Morocco in defending its sovereignty, rights, safety, and security of its lands, citizens, and interests, stressing that the inauguration of a Bahraini consulate in the Moroccan city of Laayoune embodies the solidarity between the two countries to affirm the Moroccan sovereignty and the unity of Moroccan soil.

Bourita expressed Morocco’s pleasure in hosting Dr. Abdullatif in the city of Laayoune.

He added that this embodies the depth of fraternal relations between the two countries and the two brotherly peoples, and is based on foundations of mutual respect, appreciating in this regard the positions of Bahrain that support Morocco and its efforts, commending the inauguration of Bahrain's consulate in the city of Laayoune, wishing Bahrain continued progress and prosperity.

The meeting discussed bilateral cooperation relations between the two brotherly countries and means of enhancing existing partnership between them, as well as developments in Arab and regional political and security issues and those of common concern. — Bahrain News Agency