Brussels, 17/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 16 January, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton welcomed the resumption of the national consensus dialogue in Bahrain. The EU had earlier regretted the suspension of the dialogue meetings on 10 January (see EUROPE 10995). “The EU has consistently been advocating for inclusive national reconciliation talks since February 2011, calling on all parties to engage without preconditions”, Ashton's spokesperson stated in a press release.
Ashton therefore “warmly” welcomed the news that HRH Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, upon the request of HM King Hamad Bin Issa Al Khalifa, has held wide-ranging talks with participants in the National Consensus Dialogue in recent days, “including in particular with Al-Wefaq's Secretary General Sheikh Ali Salman for the first time since the events of February 2011”. Ashton also welcomed the positive reaction of the opposition.
Ashton hoped that the consultations led by HRH Crown Prince Salman, as well as the decision to raise the level of governmental and other parties' representation in the dialogue, “will pave the way for long-term national reconciliation and sustainable reform in Bahrain”.
On 16 January, the Bahraini government announced the resumption of political dialogue with all the country's political forces. The new phase of negotiations will address issues related to the legislative, judicial and executive authorities, to the electoral constituencies and to security. (CG/transl.fl)