Bahrain-NATO partnership highlighted

Manama, Sept. 16 (BNA): Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Ministry for International Affairs Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa headed Bahrain’s delegation at the "Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme" meeting between Bahrain and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). The meeting was held in Brussels, Belgium, in the presence of Bahrain's Ambassador to Belgium Dr. Bahia Jawad Al-Jishi, NATO officials, and representative from both sides. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah reviewed the steps taken during the first edition of the "Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme" for the period 2016-2018, which were crucial for enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest. He affirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to its partnership with NATO in order to achieve international peace and security. The undersecretary also noted that the first edition of the programme has achieved concrete results in several areas, including regional security, information exchange, strategic, political and military analysis, capacity development, counterterrorism, maritime security and early crisis prevention planning. He presented the second edition of the "Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme" for the period 2018-2020 between the two sides. The programme is considered a framework for political dialogue and strategic cooperation, as well as a roadmap for future joint activities to develop the level of cooperation in facing security challenges and ensuring regional and international stability. He further noted that the program is based on three main axes: political and diplomatic cooperation, exchange of experience in the fields of defense and security, and cooperation to face the emerging security challenges. "Through dialogue and consultation, we have noted a mutual desire to consolidate a qualitative partnership in the political, security and military fields. NATO represents a security system with strategic and advanced capabilities and it has an important role in maintaining the balance of the region. This growing partnership indicates that the security and stability of the gulf region is important to NATO," he said. He affirmed that ending terrorism requires having a strong and effective international partnership and combating hatred and inciting speeches. He stressed that Bahrain supports all initiatives that aim at preserving peace and security, adding that it is committed to continue its efforts with its regional and international partners and military alliances to face the threats of terrorism. He said that the latest summit of NATO, which was held in Brussels last July, has highlighted the importance of cooperation and partnership programs in enhancing the abilities of the alliance in dealing with security developments and making decisions in a faster manner. He added that the "Brussels Declaration" which was issued following the summit called for international efforts to combat terrorism, and expressed concerns regarding Iran’s activities that threaten the stability of the Middle East. NATO officials welcomed the development of relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and NATO in the framework of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative. They also welcomed the steps taken by the Kingdom as a reliable partner in the partnership programme to enhance areas of cooperation. NATO officials also affirmed that the alliance is always ready to cooperate with Bahrain in many fields including: security and defense programmes, combatting terrorism, cyber security among many others.