HRH the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Prime Minister, meets the U.S. Secretary of Defense
Washington, July 18 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Prime Minister, met with Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense of the United States, at the Pentagon.
The meeting took place as part of His Royal Highness’s official visit to the U.S.
His Royal Highness reaffirmed the strength and depth of the strategic Bahrain–U.S. partnership, particularly within the military and defence sectors, which spans over 130 years.
HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad noted that the enduring military and defence cooperation continues to advance through mutual trust, collaboration, and strategic partnerships such as the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), which recently expanded to include the United Kingdom, following an invitation by Bahrain and the United States.
HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad described C-SIPA as a major step toward encouraging broader regional security integration, strengthening collective deterrence against external threats, and expanding cooperation in commerce, science, and technology with like-minded states in support of peace and prosperity in the Middle East.
HRH the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Prime Minister emphasised the shared commitment to furthering military and defence cooperation to achieve common goals that benefit all.
HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad also underlined Bahrain’s support for all regional and international efforts aimed at maintaining peace and stability. His Royal Highness commended the pivotal role of the United States, alongside its allies, in upholding regional and global security.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Prime Minister, expressed his pride in the ongoing progress of the Bahraini-U.S. relations, underscoring the importance of building on the foundation of existing agreements to elevate cooperation to greater heights.
HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad noted that the Kingdom of Bahrain takes pride in its strong and enduring partnership with the United States. The Kingdom’s historic cooperation with the United States Navy’s Fifth Fleet—spanning over eight decades—stands as a testament to this partnership and reflects a steadfast commitment to supporting international efforts aimed at safeguarding maritime security and protecting global shipping lanes. His Royal Highness further noted that this cooperation, carried out alongside allied armed forces, plays a vital role in advancing regional and global stability, while supporting broader efforts to achieve sustainable development at both the regional and international levels.
During the meeting, avenues to strengthen military and defence cooperation were reviewed, along with discussions on issues of mutual interest and the latest regional and international developments.
During the meeting, the U.S. Secretary of Defense highlighted the strong strategic partnership between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America. He commended Bahrain’s vital role in hosting the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet and its active participation in, and hosting of, the Combined Maritime Forces. He also expressed his appreciation for Bahrain’s courageous stances, commitment, and continuous support for peace. He affirmed the United States commitment to strengthen defense cooperation and develop joint defense capabilities with the Kingdom of Bahrain, based on decades of mutual trust and collaboration.
HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Minister of the Prime Minister’s Court, and several senior officials also attended the meeting.
