Bahrain PM bats for closer ties with RP

Shaikh Salman Al-Khalifa, Prime Minister of of Bahrain arrived last Tuesday with an entourage of Bahrain ministers, members of the Prime Minister’s court and other members of the diplomatic corps for an official four-day visit to the Philippines.

Upon his arrival, Khalifa was welcomed with Clinton’s Honors at the airport by Acting DFA Secretary Jose Brillantes, Chief of Protocol Jose Zaide, and Dr. Amable Aguiluz V of the AMA Group of Companies, a long-time friend of the Bahrain premier.

Yesterday, Al-Khalifa paid a courtesy call on President Arroyo at the Malacañang, where the President hosted a luncheon in his honor and they were joined by government officials, diplomats and other guests.

Aguiluz and his family will host a fromal dinner this evening at their Quezon City residence in celebration of Al-Khalifa’s visit to the country and in solid affirmation of the enduring friendship between them.