Egypt, Bahrain agree on boosting cooperation programs

"The fourth round of the Egyptian-Bahraini Committee convened on Tuesday on means of making joint cooperation in the various fields, "the Bahraini News Agency reported.

The two sides agreed on handling the problems facing development in the Arab region, promoting inter-trade exchange and enhancing trade exchange and investments among the Arab states.

The Committee meetings were held under the co-chairmanship of Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalifa Bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa and Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul -Gheit.

The two sides agreed on the importance of implementing the Arab free trade agreement and realizing the Arab common market.

They also underlined the need to operate a regular navigation line between the two countries' harbors.

On air transport, the two sides agreed on enabling air carriers in both countries to operate a number of flights.

They agreed that the two countries civil aviation authorities hold a meeting in March in this respect.

Also, the joint agricultural committee will convene in March to activate an executive programme to be signed in April.

At the end of the committee meetings, the two sides signed a number of executive programmes and memorandums of understanding for cooperation in the fields of tourism, agriculture, health and construction planning.

The two sides also agreed on convening the committee in Cairo in 2006.