Foreign Minister notes Bahrain-US strategic ties

Manama, Feb. 28 (BNA): The second Strategic Dialogue between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America began virtually today. The Bahraini side was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs,. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, whereas the US side was chaired by the Secretary of State of the US, Antony Blinken. Dr. Al Zayani delivered a speech in which he underlined that with the two countries celebrating fifty years of formal diplomatic relations last year and with over a century of deep-rooted bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors, He said that the partnership between Bahrain and the United States is one of unique strategic attributes and advantages, adding that it is a partnership based on mutual respect, shared priorities. He stressed common values which are reflected in the collective efforts to uphold the security and stability of the Gulf and the Middle East through the work of the US Fifth Fleet, the Maritime Security Construct, and the swift and effective coordination in the Afghan evacuation operations. He added that such cooperation is also reflected in the countries’ ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and those who fund, incite, or glorify acts of terror, as well as their work together to build on the historic Abraham Accords in order to spread peace, coexistence, interdependence, and prosperity across the Middle East. He said that both sides are keen to explore opportunities for furthering economic and trade cooperation, building on the strong foundations of their bilateral Free Trade Agreement, noting in this regard that laying the foundation for the United States Trade Zone in Bahrain’s Salman Industrial City is one example for such cooperation. He added that the Kingdom of Bahrain, in the field of environment and climate change, looks forward to working with the United States in developing Bahrain’s institutional capabilities to meet its 2060 net-zero target, and to deepening cooperation in the areas of energy, technology, and scientific exchange across the board. Al Zayani said that Bahrain is determined to uphold the highest standards in the field of human rights and looks forward to benefiting from US expertise in implementing international best practice. He added that Bahrain continues to demonstrate this commitment through its work to counter human trafficking, underlining the Kingdom’s pride of its Tier 1 status in the State Department’s annual TIP report. He affirmed his confidence that this Strategic Dialogue will help the two countries to further expand and deepen those ties, develop academic cooperation and exchanges, and build broader cultural cooperation to raise awareness of history and heritage in both countries. He noted that this Strategic Dialogue is also an important opportunity to review and assess regional and international developments, emphasizing their shared perspectives, and exchanging insights on the way forward. He said in this regard the threat to regional stability posed by the proliferation of missile and drone technology, an issue on which greater international coordination is essential, welcoming the opportunity to explore the possibility of, for example, further international measures, such as Security Council resolutions, to control and prevent the spread of such technology. He underlined that a sustainable peace in Yemen can only be achieved through a comprehensive political solution, ending the suffering of the Yemeni people, and removing a source of significant regional destabilization. He pointed out in this that both countries agree that the Houthi militia’s drone and missile attacks on civilian facilities are unacceptable and constitute acts of terror that need serious consideration at an international level to designate the Houthis as a terrorist organization. He added that the agenda for this Strategic Dialogue underlines the breadth and depth of the two countries' longstanding and effective bilateral partnership. Secretary of State Blinken expressed his pride in the historical relations between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Bahrain, noting that the two countries, in addition to their celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of relations. He noted that both countries will also celebrate this year the twenty-year anniversary of the designation of the Kingdom of Bahrain as a major non-Nato ally of the US. He also underlined that the United States appreciates its partnership with the Kingdom of Bahrain in the field of maintaining security and stability in the region. Secretary Blinken also expressed his aspiration that the coming days will bear fruit through the four working groups that will focus on discussing ways to strengthen cooperation in various fields, including security, trade, cultural and other important fields, which will revolve between representatives of the US State Department and relevant US agencies as well as their Bahraini counterparts. He underlined the importance of building on the solid bilateral relations between the two countries to achieve everything that would benefit the peoples of the two countries and the security and stability of the region.