GCC, UK historic partnership stressed

London, Oct.7 (BNA): British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond today paid tribute to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and the Government for hosting the British Naval Base in Bahrain. He said that the new naval facility would contribute to strengthening cooperation to confront challenges and said that he looked forward to organizing and coordinating the British Royal Air force in the Gulf region. This came during the annual reception party which was held by the Arab Ambassadors’ Council on the sidelines of the annual conference of the ruling Conservative Party. Newly-appointed Bahrain Ambassador to the UK Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa also attended the event. Guest of honour Hammond addressed the ceremony and stressed his Government’s firm commitment to the security of the Middle East, particularly the Arabian Gulf States, underlining deep-rooted friendship and long-dating partnership bonding the GCC countries and Britain. Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa attended the annual Conservative Party’s conference, which was held on October 4-7 in Manchester in the presence of senior political and media figures and ambassadors accredited to the UK. Hammond said that his country considers the security of the Gulf region as inseparable from the security of Britain, adding that he stressed the same stance during his visit to Manama and the GCC Foreign Ministers’ meeting, which was held on the sidelines of the 70th UN General Assembly (UNGA) session, recently held in New York, the USA. The minister affirmed his country’s keenness on its relations with the GCC member states, stressing the decision of the British Government to enhance its military presence to be permanent. He announced that the British Government will discuss within the coming few months with its partners in the Gulf the possibility for the British ground forces to hold regular training courses in the region. He looked forward to holding talks on joint cooperation and issues of mutual interest during his forthcoming visit to take part in the Manama Dialogue late this month. He commended the efforts of the GCC states to combat the scourge of terrorism which contributed to protecting the security of the region as well as