King receives speaker, hails Bahrain's democratic success

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received at Al-Sakhir Palace today Parliament Speaker Ahmed bin Ibrahim Al Mulla, the First and Second Deputy Speakers and committees' chairpersons.
HM the King congratulated the lawmakers on the success of the democratic process in the kingdom, and commended the efforts exerted by the Parliament Speaker and MPs, and their constructive cooperation with the executive branch, which resulted in the endorsement by the Council of Representatives of the Government Action Plan (GAP).
HM King Hamad lauded MPs' keenness to ensure GAP reflects the citizens' aspirations for consolidating development and economic projects.
HM the King asserted that the government-parliament consensus on GAP represents a success for the Kingdom and its people, affirms the determination of all to consolidate the bases of advanced democratic practices and reflects the popular will at its best.
HM the King stressed that consensus and consultation have been distinctive features of the people of Bahrain, noting that consultation and democracy will remain a life approach for the Kingdom and its citizens.
HM King Hamad affirmed that the national progress will continue thanks to the sincere resolve to achieve all goals, and will ensure a better future for the coming generations. He added that efforts to develop the kingdom's democratic experience will go forward in a thoughtful and studied way in order to consolidate the spirit of tolerance and social cohesion emanating from the Bahraini citizens' genuine moral values.
HM the King lauded the outstanding success of the recent parliamentary and municipal elections in which the citizens turned out in force, praising the role of the Bahraini women in them, both as candidates and voters, which, he asserted, re-affirms their crucial contributions throughout the history of the nation.
HM the King expressed confidence that executive-legislative cooperation will continue to bring about more milestone achievements and progress for the nation and the citizens.
HM the King praised the legislature's crucial role in strengthening the pillars of democracy and promoting the parliamentary march, contributions to the comprehensive development march in the kingdom and keenness to extend bridges of cooperation and understanding with parliaments of Arab and friendly countries on various issues for the sake of reinforcing regional stability and peace.
"We are looking forward to the future with confidence and optimism," he said, adding that "the coming period requires more fruitful work and efforts to meet the aspirations of our beloved people, achieve development goals, carry on the reform project for the benefit of Bahrain and in order to preserve and optimise hard-won national gains, carry on the nation-building process and progress and consolidate the democratic approach."
HM the King wished Parliament Speaker and members every success in serving the nation and contributing to its progress and prosperity.
Speaker of the Representatives Council extended to HM King Hamad utmost congratulations of the success of the recent parliamentary and municipal elections, and the citizens' massive participation in them, which, he said, reflects their rallying behind their leadership.
He also congratulated HM the King on the Parliament's endorsement of the government blueprint.
He affirmed that the Parliament will focus its interest in serving the nation and the citizens, protecting the kingdom's sovereignty, and rejecting all kinds of foreign interference in its domestic affairs.