King, Trump stress Bahrain-US strategic alliance, partnership

Riyadh, May 21 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa today met US President Donald Trump in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister. The meeting was on the sideline of HM the King's participation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – US summit and the Arab-Islamic-US summit. In his statement, President Trump said: " Good morning, everybody It's a great honour to be with you. Our countries have a wonderful relationship together, but there has been a little strain, but there won't be strain with this administration. We're going to have a very, very long-term relationship. I look forward to it very much - many of the same things in common. Thank you for being with us." In his statement, HM King Hamad said: "We have a great relationship with the United States of America which the president presented it so greatly. For Bahrain, it has been 120 years of relations with the US based on a very good foundation of mutual understanding and strategy that we worked upon and which led to great stability and prosperity in the region. Thank you Mr President." HM King Hamad welcomed President Trump and reviewed with him the distinguished and progressive strategic and deep rooted relations between Bahrain and the US, stressing that they were based on deep links in all areas and on robust foundations of mutual respect and shared interests and values. HM the King highlighted the depth of the strategic alliance and partnership between the two friendly countries and Bahrain's keenness on moving ties towards wider horizons for the sake of common interests. HM King Hamad praised the significance of the historic visit by President Trump to Saudi Arabia and his meetings with the GCC, Arab and Islamic leaders and lauded the pivotal US role in consolidating security and stability in the region and in asserting an influential presence at all levels. Bahrain is keen on working and cooperating with the US and the international community for the sake of the peoples of the region and their aspirations for development, security and peace, HM the King said. President Rump hailed his meeting with HM King Hamad and thanked him for his efforts to elevate the partnership between the two countries. He said he was looking forward to further cooperation at all levels, particularly in areas related to security, stability and efforts to combat terrorism. President Trump said that Bahrain was an important strategic partner for the US and plays a principal role in protecting security and stability in the region and the progress achieved under the leadership of HM the King. Bahrain and the US said they were keen on continuing their defence cooperation and agreed on extending their defence cooperation agreement as part of the interest of their leaders in boosting bilateral relations and in light of their convergent views on several regional and international issues, mainly the security of the Arabian Gulf. HM the King thanked President Trump for his support for Bahrain's armed forces. The meeting reviewed regional and international issues of shared interest.