Following is the text of the address by His Majesty the King, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to the opening session of the fourth term of Parliament yesterday:

In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
Brothers and sisters, members of the Consultative Council and Chamber of Deputies,
Peace and God’s mercy and blessings be upon you,
The meeting with you at the commencement of the fourth convocation of the first legislative session is a cherished occasion, as is every meeting with you, for your esteemed Assembly is the gateway to the comprehensive reform on which we have agreed with our loyal people in order to renew democratic life in the country.  It is a highly important national goal and test that calls for the profoundest political capabilities to develop and strengthen it and to lead it to where we aspire, through constructive political participation in the march of national action which is the touchstone of the ability to build, give tangibly, serve citizens, and safeguard Bahrain’s prominent standing.
We are pleased to point to the big and effective role you have carried out in the past short period in achieving many of the people’s hopes, wishes, and aspirations.  In the previous three periods of convocation the legislative authority with its two wings — the Consultative Council and the Chamber of Deputies — has undertaken its constitutional responsibilities and powers both in the field of legislation and in overseeing Government performance.  It took into consideration the interests of the homeland and the citizens, and it set as its main aim the higher interests of our country, and made the will of the people the source of laws it enacts and decisions it makes.
In exercising your role of overseeing Government performance, you have laid down — in cooperation with the Government — the traditions of responsible parliamentary work, traditions that achieve constructive and fruitful cooperation in the relationship between the legislative and executive authorities within the framework of the separation of powers as prescribed by the Constitution.  You have exercised your full right through available constitutional means.  
The Government has also been keen to provide the necessary data and to respond positively to many motions.  All that had a clear effect in supporting the democratic march and safeguarding citizens’ interests.
Thus you have become the source of laws, overseeing, and staid and legitimate accountability and the house of liberty and national unity from which springs all our free forums, to develop and to renew, toward Bahrain’s bright future.  You have become pioneers in the history of the homeland, forging its future. You, men and women, have been worthy of shouldering the responsibility, for the speed of your grasp of legislative work has been admired by everyone.

Brothers and sisters,
The Kingdom of Bahrain has proved its ability to make progress, in perfect harmony between the trends in our civilisational plan and between the honourable work accomplished by the Government headed by His Highness the Prime Minister, in cooperation with you, as part of our free national choices in support of the comprehensive development that is taking place in the country.  Indicators point to a rise in the rates of economic and investment growth, and improvement in the standard of services provided to citizens, particularly housing services — and action is being taken to double those housing services in the coming stage.
With regard to the labour market and its systems, the Government’s efforts to draw up a draft law on social security for job-seekers have reached their final stages, and we hope the law will be ready to be enforced early next year.  All preparations to implement the national employment plan have been completed.  The plan underlines the State’s determination to provide suitable work opportunities to all job-seekers.  The reform of the labour market will continue to be a subject of discussion and attempts to reach understanding, accompanied by gradual progress in practice in accordance with current economic factors and the extent of their development.
Within the framework of our anxiousness to see effective participation by merchants from the country and businessmen from abroad in present and future investment projects, the competent bodies must strive to further facilitate business and commercial procedures, for that is a priority of the economic reform you have begun through a more precise verification of revenues and expenditure, in fruitful cooperation with the Government.  It was an exact performance for which we pay tribute to the president of the Consultative Council and the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and to all the honourable members, and in particular the chairman of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee in the Chamber of Deputies and the members of the Committee, for shouldering the responsibility in word and deed, thus affirming that we are proceeding along the right path.
We also value the important role that is carried out by the Economic Development Council which is headed by His Highness the Crown Prince and BDF Commander-in-Chief.  The Council has undertaken the task of advancing economic policies that aim to bring about the participation of the private sector and honourable citizens in shouldering the responsibility, while the State coordinates and regulates the process.  In order that the executive branch and all its directorates are better able to fulfil citizens’ needs, each ministry will define the priorities of its work and its basic objectives as a starting point to renew the Government program in this stage, so as to serve everyone.  You will have an important role in evolving that, for it is within your competence.
Incidentally, I would like to proudly laud the honourable role undertaken by our sons in the Bahrain Defence Force and in the other security services.  We today –  from this forum – affirm our determinations to continue our care for and interest in the BDF’s requirements so that it will always attain the standard we desire for it and for its loyal members in appreciation of their shouldering the responsibility, for the BDF is the shield of the homeland, its impregnable fortress, and its watchful eye that guards over the homeland’s security and stability and safeguards its safety and the institutions chosen by the citizens within a constitutional framework so that they can live under that Constitution secure and assured, and participate in building the Bahrain of love, concord, and tolerance.
It is a cause of pride and warm congratulations for everyone to see that the sons and daughters of Bahrain are anxious to raise its banner high above all horizons.  The medals and advanced positions gained by Bahraini sportsmen in various international sports contests, as well as the creative work of Bahrain’s intellectuals and artists are vivid proof of the dynamism and pulse of this homeland that aspires to life and progress.  That is not strange to Bahrain which was a pioneer in modernising education and other fields, as well as in the field of sports where honourable achievements are continuing to this day — and we expect further achievements from Bahrain, with the help of God and with the determination of all those in Bahraini sports.
With regard to the Gulf Cooperation Council — and the Kingdom of Bahrain has the honour of chairing and hosting its current summit — we hold on to this Gulf Arab entity which represents a vital pillar in the edifice of its Arab nation.  We strive to strengthen the rapprochement and integration among the fraternal peoples of the GCC.  This year we have lost a leader who was one of the most prominent founders of the GCC, the late Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God rest his soul in peace. We have great hopes in the era of his brother, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.  We all have confidence in the stability and continuity which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represents in this vital region.  We express our appreciation to our brothers in all the GCC states for the backing and support they have shown for our blessed march.

Brothers and sisters,
Bahrain has been — and continues to be — the living conscience and the exact compass of the movement of history in view of the profound awareness of its people.  That redoubles the responsibility placed on us in all positions.  Our achievements would not have been accomplished had it not been for the great efforts of our wise government headed by His Highness, our dear uncle and father, Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.  I extend my sincere greetings, respect, and love to His Highness.  Let us accomplish more achievements, God willing.  
Your sincere cooperation had a good effect in accomplishing all those achievements.  In view of the fact that you represent the homeland people rely on you and have confidence in you.  Proceed with God’s blessings, for you are the trustees of our loyal people’s aspirations.
We look forward to a fruitful period of convocation that crowns this experience whose useful lessons for the future Bahrain cannot do without.
In conclusion, we congratulate everyone on the advent of the blessed month of Ramadhan, may God bring with it happiness and blessings to all.
Peace and God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.
Last update on: 2-10-2005