US ambassador lauds strategic partnership with Bahrain

Manama, Apr. 16 (BNA): US Ambassador to Bahrain Justin Siberell, has lauded the strategic partnership between the two countries, stressed its progress in various and important ways and hailed the close cooperation with the US Navy. He also expressed confidence in a future of expanding and deepening ties between the two countries. "We Americans have much to celebrate in our country’s relationship with the Kingdom of Bahrain, a strategic partnership built on an enduring friendship between the American and Bahraini people, and supported by the leadership of our two countries," Siberell said in remarks as the US community celebrated their country's 243 years of independence. "In this regard, I would like to express our thanks and appreciation to His Majesty the King, and their Royal Highnesses the Prime Minister and Crown Prince for their commitment to the strong bilateral relationship we enjoy." Advances in the partnership included more than $3 billion in the two-way trade between Bahrain and the US in 2018, a 60 per cent increase over 2017. "Our thriving commercial partnership extends across all economic sectors and is fueled by our free trade agreement," he said. From the energy sector to manufacturing, financial services, and exciting new developments in high tech, the US and Bahrain continue to chart a course together to meet the demands of the emerging global economy, he added. "Secretary of State Pompeo’s visit in January of this year reaffirmed the shared commitment of our two countries to advance peace and stability in this vital region of the world," the ambassador said. "Our nations partner in many ways, but none perhaps as significant as the tremendous support provided by Bahrain over the decades to the United States Navy. Last month’s visit of the aircraft carrier John C. Stennis and the ongoing efforts of the American and Bahraini navies and coast guard elements to ensure freedom of navigation demonstrate the continuity of America’s commitment to our partners in this region." Siberell said that Bahrain and the US also celebrated the "growing cooperation in education and the arts that have brought so many American and Bahrainis together over the years." The ambassador referred to new initiatives linking Georgetown University and Bahrain’s FinTech Bay, and Johns Hopkins University and the Royal College of Surgeons. "Existing programmes linking West Virginia University with the Royal University for Women, DePaul University with the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance, and exciting developments underway to establish a new American University of Bahrain give us great hope and confidence in a future of expanding and deepening ties," he said. The US commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, but the national day is celebrated earlier to take advantage of "the beautiful Bahrain spring weather."