Bahrain development’s strides highlighted

Manama, Mar. 27 (BNA): Foreign Ministry Undersecretary for International Affairs Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa received today a US Senate delegation visiting the Kingdom. He stressed longstanding historic relations of friendship and understanding binding the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America since the beginning of the last century, highlighting the main points that cemented the close strategic alliance between the two countries. He highlighted the important meeting between His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and the US President, Donald Trump, on the sidelines of the Gulf-American summit in Riyadh, which affirmed the importance of strengthening these distinctive and developed relations. Dr. Shaikh Abdulla praised the US role in stabilizing the Gulf region, as well as the existing cooperation between the two countries in the fight against terrorism and the enhancement of international peace and security. He referred to the Iranian threats of illegal interference in the internal affairs of the countries of the region through supporting terrorist groups by training them, providing weapons and the development of the ballistic missile system, stressing Bahrain's condemnation of the missile attacks of the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on a number of areas of Saudi Arabia. He outlined the principles underlying Bahrain’s foreign policy o and its responsible and pioneering stances on regional and international issues. He underlined Bahrain’s comprehensive reforms and the great qualitative gains, commending the approach of His Majesty the King which represents a regional model of reform, sustainable development and progress. He highlighted the royal patronage and ongoing initiatives to affirm the participation of women and the empowerment of young people, as well as the promotion of religious freedom, tolerance and human rights in a broad sense. Dr. Shaikh Abdulla expressed his appreciation and satisfaction for the mutual desire to further develop cooperation and joint coordination in all fields, thus enhancing the growing partnership between the two friendly countries. The US Senate delegation affirmed the importance of the visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain, to see closely the measures taken by the Kingdom to promote democratic development and protect national security to serve common interests.