Bahraini emir ends Oman visit

Oman and Bahrain issued a joint communique yesterday at the end of Bahraini Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's two-day visit to Oman, Gulf News Agency reported.

"The two leaders pledged to exert every endeavor aimed at activating and set on going the role of the joint Omani- Bahraini panel to serve the interest of both countries and to fulfill their aspirations in achieving cooperation in the political, economic, defensive, security, media and cultural domains," the statement said.

It continued, "Both sides agreed to streamline the movement of the citizens of both countries using the id card, while assigning the Interior Ministries in both countries to study and set the necessary procedures to implement the agreement. "

The two sides also signed a protocol on consular cooperation "assigning the diplomatic missions in each country to attend to the interests of the citizens of each other country in any country of the World."

The two Gulf states also agreed to facilitate the flow of the workforce and encourage investment between the two countries.

They expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Gulf Cooperation Council, to which the two countries belong along with Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

They also commented on a number of regional issues, including the Middle East peace process, the situation in Iraq, the conflict between the United Arab Emirates and Iran, and Israel's attacks on south Lebanon.

Sheikh Hamad issued an invitation to Oman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said to visit Bahrain, which was accepted at a date to be determined.

Sheikh Hamad left Oman for the UAE, where he is to meet with UAE President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan.