Manama: Political societies expected to take part in the new National Dialogue in Bahrain have been asked to present their visions on five major issues.

“We have met all of the parties involved in the National Dialogue on political issues and asked them to present their visions on the five topics as soon as it suits them in order to converge views among stakeholders on the agenda and start a new phase to complete the National Dialogue,” a statement from the Royal Court said late on Wednesday.

Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa, the Minister of Royal Court, this week received separately delegates from a coalition of opposition societies, from another coalition of political societies (Al Fateh) and reportedly from Al Asala.

The delegates were asked to detail their proposals for the future on the legislative, juridical and executive branches, the electoral constituencies and security for all.

The ideas will be reviewed by the Royal Court before the participants are brought together for the talks to be held under a new format, following the suspension on January 8 of the earlier dialogue launched on February 10.

All delegates said they had open and honest talks with Shaikh Khalid and expressed optimism about the first steps taken towards the National Dialogue.

The dialogue was suspended after the 27 participants, representing the two political coalitions and delegates from the bicameral parliament and the government failed to agree on a specific format and to set an agenda for the talks meant to overcome sharp differences resulting from the dramatic events that unfolded in Bahrain in February and March 2011.

Hope for the restart of the dialogue was revived last week after Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, based on directives from King Hamad, met the participants and stressed the significance of holding talks for the sake of the nation.

Bahrainis are deeply divided over the merit of the dialogue as the healing process is being slowed down by the mistrust that has developed between segments of the nation during and after the dramatic events of three years ago.

However, optimistic voices have been calling for giving the new dialogue a chance to overcome differences on political matters.