Bahrain-US relations steadily moving forward: US ambassador

Manama, Feb. 18 (BNA): Bahrain-US relations are steadily progressing, boosted by deepening cooperation in several areas and sectors, the US ambassador to Bahrain has said. "His Royal Highness Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s recent visit to the United States was an important reaffirmation of the strategic partnership enjoyed between the United States and Bahrain," Justin Siberell said. "During his visit, the Crown Prince concluded many important agreements. There is no question that the Crown Prince’s trip to the United States lifted relations between our two countries to an even higher level, demonstrating that the vibrant friendship between Bahrain and the United States has never been stronger. Bahrain is one of the few countries with which the United States has in a place a Free Trade Agreement (FTA)," Siberell told Bahrain News Agency (BNA). Text of the interview: The recent visit of HRH the Crown Prince to the United States resulted in the signing of a number of MoUs. How do you view this visit and its impact on further bolstering of the joint relations? And will it result in more agreements in the near futures? His Royal Highness Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s recent visit to the United States was an important reaffirmation of the strategic partnership enjoyed between the United States and Bahrain. His meetings with President Donald Trump, Vice President Pence, Secretary of Defense Mattis, Secretary of State Tillerson, the leaders of both houses of Congress, as well as private American citizens and business representatives demonstrated the depth of commitment in the United States to the partnership with Bahrain.  During his visit, the Crown Prince concluded many important agreements. These included an extension of the Bahrain - US Defence Cooperation Agreement, the purchase of F-16 fighter aircraft, as well as Boeing 787 commercial aircraft, and agreements with American companies to modernize the BAPCO refinery and expand the ALBA aluminum smelter set the stage for further growth in our long-standing partnership. There is no question that the Crown Prince’s trip to the United States lifted relations between our two countries to an even higher level, demonstrating that the vibrant friendship between Bahrain and the United States has never been stronger. Bahrain's relationship with the United States is strong and covers many fields ranging from politics to economics. In your view, how can we increase the volume of trade exchange between the two countries, especially as some believe that the current size of trade does not meet aspirations? Bahrain is one of the few countries with which the United States has in a place a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Since the FTA entered into force in 2006, the trade volume between our two nations has more than doubled. I believe we can do even better. I will be working with organizations such as the American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain to explore opportunities for US companies to export to Bahrain, as well as working to ensure Bahraini companies understand how they can make use of the FTA to find opportunities to expand trade with the United States. Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism Al Zayani has been working very hard on this issue and in recent visits to the United States has opened new opportunities for expanded trade between our two countries. The expansion of the Mondelez cookie and biscuit plant as well as the arrival of Amazon Web Services to Bahrain demonstrate that Bahrain remains a very good place for US companies to locate their business operations and invest.  On top of the trade promotion work we are doing, the US government is partnering with the government of Bahrain to help Bahrain develop a better business climate for entrepreneurs and start-ups. Through programs like our Commercial Law Development Program and the work of the Centre for International Private Enterprise, we are sharing our experience and expertise with the dedicated professionals at the Economic Development Board and Tamkeen who are promoting entrepreneurship in Bahrain. I believe Bahrain is well positioned to be a centre of entrepreneurship in this region, and the US embassy will continue to work with our partners to help Bahrain succeed in this undertaking.  Bahrain continues to face attempts to interfere in its internal affairs by regional parties that have expansion ambitions. How can the US administration provide the necessary support to the Kingdom of Bahrain to counter this intervention? Bahrain graciously hosts the United States Navy Central Command and the Fifth Fleet. Their presence here enables the United States and Bahrain to work side-by-side to address threats to regional stability. Joint exercises, training, and Bahrain’s acquisition of advanced US defence capabilities are each important to ensuring we continue working together in the future in defence of shared security interests.  Bahrain is one of the pillars in protecting the security and stability of the Gulf. What can the United States do to address the many security challenges in the region, especially in the context of the war on terror? Bahrain has been a stalwart partner in fighting terrorism, and has itself been a victim of terrorism directed from outside the country. The United States works closely with Bahrain and other GCC partners on a wide range of security challenges: countering terrorism and extremism, countering the financing of terrorists, and addressing threats to the freedom of navigation and maritime security.  We will also continue to work with Bahrain on the fight against Daesh. We congratulate the Syrian people and the Syrian Democratic Forces, including the Syrian Arab Coalition, on the recent liberation of Raqqa. The United States is proud to lead the 73-member Global Coalition that supported this effort, which has seen Daesh’s so-called caliphate crumble across Iraq and Syria. We also applaud the leadership of Prime Minister Abadi on his announcement of the full liberation of Iraqi territory from Daesh control, and we offer our sincere congratulations to the Iraqi people and to the brave Iraqi Security Forces, many of whom lost their lives heroically fighting Daesh. Our work is far from over, but these are both milestones in the global fight against Daesh, and underscore the success of the on-going international effort to defeat these terrorists. As an important member of this 73-member coalition, Bahrain’s support in this effort has been invaluable. What are the most important issues that you will be working on in the coming period? My appointment as Ambassador to Bahrain followed soon after President Trump’s historic visit to Riyadh in May 2017 during which he had a very productive meeting with His Majesty King Hamad. Shortly after I arrived in Manama to take up my responsibilities, I was extremely fortunate to be able to participate in the visit to Washington, DC of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad. My first responsibility will always be to build upon the strong base of support for the US – Bahrain relationship created by our two country’s leaders.  As strong as the relationship between our countries is today, there are always opportunities to forge even closer ties. One facet of our relationship that I would like to focus on is leveraging the Bahrain-US Free Trade Agreement to make it even more effective.  As strong as the benefits of the FTA have been for both Bahrain and America, I feel that there is still a great deal of untapped potential in the agreement. Just as Bahrain is a gateway to a much wider regional market for US exporters, the FTA opens a huge American market of over 300 million consumers to Bahraini exporters able to take advantage of it. I am committed to working with Bahraini officials, and the Bahraini and American business communities to pursue every opportunity until we see the Bahrain-US Free Trade Agreement achieve its full potential.  Can you tell us about the most important changes and developments in the American values and interests in the world after almost a year has passed since the new administration took office, and to what extent this will impact American foreign policy as a result? The United States faces a 21st century global environment that presents unconventional threats from non-state actors, as well as challenges to our economic and national security from traditional state actors. President Trump recently announced a new National Security Strategy that brings to bear all elements of American power to protect our people, generate new economic opportunities, and advance our interests and democratic principles.  This strategy advances four vital national interests: protecting the American people; promoting American prosperity; preserving peace through strength; and advancing American influence in the world.  As President Trump said in his remarks at the release of the National Security Strategy, "We want strong alliances and partnerships based on cooperation and reciprocity." I look forward to working with my Bahraini government counterparts to implement this strategy by strengthening our partnership, which underpins security throughout the region and promises peace and prosperity for both our peoples. How many US companies are there in Bahrain? And how do you look forward to strengthen the cooperation in this area? Today, over 200 American companies have a presence in Bahrain, bringing to Bahrain some of the world’s most iconic brands, along with high quality goods and services at competitive prices. American businesses not only provide Bahraini consumers with wonderful products and services, they also create good jobs. The FTA gives Bahrain an advantage in attracting American businesses, and I look forward to working with Bahraini government officials to increase the number of American businesses in Bahrain during my time as ambassador. The US Mission Hospital is one of the oldest hospitals in Bahrain. Is there a project supporting medical centres through providing American expertise or is there a project to have medical exchange programs, for example? I recently had the chance to visit the American Mission Hospital, which has been a cornerstone of the Bahrain-US relationship for well over one hundred years. Many Bahrainis I meet ask me if I know the history of the American Mission Hospital and the excellent medical care provided to Bahrain’s residents since the days well before the motor car! We are extremely proud of the long history of service and compassion that have defined the American Mission Hospital’s presence in Bahrain.  The US embassy in Bahrain sponsors exchange programs and training opportunities in a number of fields. We stand ready to work with our partners in the Government of Bahrain and with Bahraini medical institutions to identify needs, set up medical exchange programs, or facilitate partnerships with American institutions.  Are there any plans to expand exchange programs such as the International Visitor’s Leadership Program? Whether academic study programmes, cultural exchange programmes, or even advanced military academy study programmes, official exchanges between the American and Bahraini people serve to strengthen understanding between our two nations and have had a very positive impact over the years in advancing US – Bahrain relations. We sponsor a number of exchange programs that allow Bahraini students and professionals to travel to the United States. Our most well-known programs are the Fulbright Program, which offers Bahraini students the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree at an American university, and the International Visitor Leadership Program, which sends young Bahraini professionals to the United States to share best practices with their American colleagues. However, we have a number of other programs, including the YES programme for high school students and the UGRAD programme for university students. These programs are tremendously important parts of our bilateral relationship that give Bahraini students incredible opportunities – I encourage any Bahrainis who are interested to contact the US embassy to learn more about what’s on offer. We hope that we will have the opportunity to expand our exchange programmes in the future.