Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have both confirmed their plans to attend the U.S. “Peace for Prosperity” workshop to be hosted following the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan on June 25-26 in Bahrain. This will be the first phase in the roll out of the Trump administration’s “deal of the century.”
The UAE has welcomed the announcement of the ‘Peace to Prosperity’ economic workshop hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain in cooperation with the United States of America, in Manama, Bahrain from 25-26 June. https://t.co/4p2TsbyK7L
— Jason D. Greenblatt (@jdgreenblatt45)
The Saudi government said in a statement posted by the Saudi Press Agency Tuesday, “His Excellency Minister of Economy and Planning Mohammad bin Mazid Al-Tuwaijri’s participation is in continuation of Saudi Arabia’s firm and supportive positions for the brotherly Palestinian people, and for achieving stability, growth and decent living, and achieving its hopes and aspirations, and in the region in general security, stability and prosperity.
“The workshop will be attended by a number of businessmen and investors from Arab countries and around the world, as well as a number of finance ministers. They will discuss investment ideas and opportunities in the region. The workshop will discuss potential economic growth, human capital development and the creation of a stimulating investment environment in the region. In general and in Palestine in particular,” the statement said.
Likewise, Bahrain Foreign Minister Khalida Khalifa wrote in a statement on Twitter, “The position of the Kingdom of Bahrain, official and popular, has been and continues to champion the brotherly Palestinian people in the restoration of their legitimate rights in their land and independent state, with east Jerusalem as its capital, in addition to supporting the economy of the Palestinian people in every positive international and bilateral way.
“The Kingdom of Bahrain’s hosting of the “Peace for Prosperity” workshop is a continuation of this supportive approach to enable the Palestinian people to enhance their capabilities and strengthen their resources to achieve their legitimate aspirations. There is no other purpose to hosting this event.
“We have all the appreciation and respect for the Palestinian leadership and its consistent positions to safeguard the rights of the brotherly Palestinian people and to achieve their legitimate aspirations, and we will support them and will not detract from them in their peaceful and honorable approach; we are of the Covenant,” said the Bahrain diplomat.
However, the Palestinian Authority has already registered its objections; PA leader Mahmoud Abbbas has notified the world at large that he will not attend, regardless of the potential benefit to his people that might be derived by his attendance.
U.S. Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt emphasized in a tweet, meanwhile, “To those falsely claiming our vision is just economic peace: we’ve been clear that the economic vision we present can’t exist without the political component, and the political component can’t succeed without the economic. Don’t believe rumors the plan is only economic. It’s not.”