Manama, September 9 (BNA): Relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom go back to the year 18The tenth and 19The tenth Centuries.
In 1816, the two countries reached a tentative agreement to strengthen their alliance and protect their common interests. The agreement became official in 1820, when the two sides signed the General Maritime Treaty. Since then, bilateral relations have been strengthened, especially in 1861, 1880 and 1892.
The agreements not only recognized the legal status of Bahrain and its administrative institutions, but also ensured its protection, acknowledged its independence and strengthened its status as a strategic center for commercial activities. It also ensured stability and security in the Arab Gulf region.
Friendship relations between the two kingdoms and their ruling families have been strengthened during the past 206 years, which is reflected in the continuous understanding and coordination between their leaderships, and their keenness to achieve their common interests at the regional and global levels.
The special status of the long-standing Bahraini-British relations is reflected in the depth of the distinguished relations of friendship, friendship and respect between His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince. The Prime Minister, the royal family of the United Kingdom, is represented by His Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Majesty Charles III. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II made her first official visit to Bahrain in 1979 during the reign of His Highness Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
In 1986, Prince Charles, then Prince of Wales, made his second visit to Bahrain, as part of a tour of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
On February 26, 2007, Prince Charles arrived in the Kingdom, accompanied by his wife, Princess Camilla, for a ten-day visit to the Gulf Cooperation Council. His visit to the Kingdom was very successful, as he held meetings with His Majesty King Hamad and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The distinguished position that Bahrain enjoys at the international level has been demonstrated thanks to its balanced foreign policy that calls for peace and stability.
In 2016, Bahrain celebrated 200The tenth The anniversary of its relations with the United Kingdom, which embodies the depth of those relations between the two friendly kingdoms and peoples and their continued desire to further enhance their cooperation, especially after Prince Charles’ visit to Bahrain in the same year, and the visit of His Majesty King Hamad. His visit to Britain, where he attended the Royal Windsor International Horse Show, and the launch of a book titled Celebrating 200 Years Together: The Bicentennial Paperback of British-Bahraini Relations.
In addition, the numerous exchanged visits between members of the two royal families, and the sporting interests of His Majesty and the late Queen Elizabeth II, contributed to the strengthening of bilateral relations in various fields.
His Majesty King Hamad has made several visits to the United Kingdom, the latter of which was scheduled to attend the Royal Windsor 2022 Horse Show, at the invitation of Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II. His Majesty the King also made several official visits to Britain, which reflect the depth and strength of bilateral relations.
During the past decades, the two friendly countries signed many agreements, protocols and memoranda of understanding to enhance the level of partnership and coordination between them in the political, diplomatic, security, military, economic, cultural, educational and other fields.
The year 1935 was a turning point in the progress of relations between the two friendly countries, when Britain transferred its main naval base in the Persian Gulf to Bahrain, beginning a new era of relations and partnership. However, bilateral relations were further strengthened with the signing of the 1971 Treaty of Friendship.
The relations between Bahrain and the UK have a special place, especially in the economic, investment and banking sectors, as Bahrain has been a regional home for many British commercial companies, financial institutions and banks, thanks to the exemplary economic policies and legislation introduced by the government. Bahrain for investors.
The Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement for the year 2006, the cooperation agreement between the Bahrain Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange in 207 and the memoranda of understanding signed between the two countries in the fields related to the customs sector in 2008 are among the agreements signed between the two kingdoms to deepen their long-term relations in various fields, especially investment. Trade and friendship.
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