BAHRAIN yesterday reiterated its call to move from GCC co-operation to union.

"The time is ripe to initiate the landmark transition, heralding deeper co-operation," His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa said.

He chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting in Gudaibiya Palace and paid tribute to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for taking the historic initiative.

He also hailed GCC achievements as it marks its 31st anniversary.

HRH the Premier was congratulated on the marriage of his grandson Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa. He praised loyal citizens for their feelings.

He commended Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty King Hamad and Supreme Council for Women president, for her keynote address on the occasion of Freedom Palm Day (Palme de La Liberte) celebrations in Paris.

He said Bahrain will remain an oasis of peaceful co-existence and religious liberties. He confirmed the government's resolve to promote and protect human rights and hailed the royal reform project for consolidating liberties.

He instructed ministers to reach out to citizens and implement the government's strategy to meet their needs. He also asked officials to update citizens' particulars, especially those related to financial assistance.

HRH the Premier ordered the Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry to maintain public beaches and meet fishermen's needs in new harbours planned in all the five governorates.

He asked the ministry to co-operate with Muharraq Municipal Council in a feasibility study for a fishermen's harbour to serve areas north of Muharraq and Busaiteen.

HRH the Premier instructed ministries and authorities whose final accounts exceeded their allocated budget to provide the ministerial financial and economic affairs panel with explanation and prepare answers to remarks in the National Audit Court report for 2011.

Ministries and authorities were asked to notify the Shura Council and parliament about remittances from the public budget into other allocation accounts.

The Cabinet hailed co-operation between the executive and legislative authorities, marking the conclusion of the second phase of the third parliamentary term.

A memo by Transportation Minister Kamal Ahmed on Bahrain's accession to regional and international organisations for civil aviation, postal services and air cargo was reviewed.

The Cabinet approved the audited financial statement of Future Generation Fund which exceeded $283 million (BD107m) in 2011.