Manama, February 28 (BNA): The second strategic dialogue between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America began almost today.
The Bahraini side was headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, while the US side was chaired by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
Dr. Al-Zayani delivered a speech in which he emphasized that with the two countries celebrating fifty years of official diplomatic relations last year and with more than a century of solid bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors,
He said that the partnership between Bahrain and the United States has unique strategic features and advantages, adding that it is a partnership based on mutual respect and common priorities.
He stressed the common values that are reflected in the collective efforts to maintain the security and stability of the Gulf and the Middle East through the work of the US Fifth Fleet, building maritime security, and rapid and effective coordination of Afghan evacuations.
He added that this cooperation is also reflected in the continuous efforts of countries to combat terrorism and those who finance, incite or glorify terrorist acts, as well as their work together to build on the historical Ibrahim agreements in order to spread peace and coexistence. Interdependence and prosperity throughout the Middle East.
He said that the two sides are keen to explore opportunities to enhance economic and trade cooperation, and build on the strong foundations of the bilateral free trade agreement between them, noting in this regard that laying the foundations of the American trade zone in the Salman Industrial City in Bahrain is one. An example of such cooperation.
He added that the Kingdom of Bahrain, in the field of environment and climate change, is looking forward to working with the United States in developing the institutional capabilities of Bahrain to achieve its net goal of 2060, and deepening cooperation in the fields of energy and technology. and scientific exchange in all fields.
Al-Zayani said that Bahrain is determined to adhere to the highest standards in the field of human rights and looks forward to benefiting from US expertise in applying international best practices.
He added that Bahrain continues to demonstrate this commitment through its work to combat human trafficking, which confirms the Kingdom’s pride in placing it in the first category in the annual Human Trafficking Report of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He affirmed his confidence that this strategic dialogue will help the two countries to expand and deepen those relations, develop academic cooperation and exchanges, and build broader cultural cooperation to raise awareness of the history and heritage of both countries.
He noted that this strategic dialogue is also an important opportunity to review and assess regional and international developments, emphasize their common views, and exchange ideas on how to move forward.
In this regard, he said, the threat to regional stability is represented by the proliferation of missile and drone technology, an issue that requires more international coordination on it, and welcomed the opportunity to explore the possibility, for example, of taking further international action, such as the Security Council. Decisions to control and prevent the spread of this technology.
He stressed that sustainable peace in Yemen can only be achieved through a comprehensive political solution, ending the suffering of the Yemeni people, and removing a major source of regional instability.
He pointed out in this that the two countries agree that the attacks of drones and missiles launched by the Houthi militia on civilian facilities are unacceptable and constitute terrorist acts that need serious study at the international level to classify the Houthis as a terrorist organization.
He added that the agenda of this strategic dialogue confirms the breadth and depth of the long and effective bilateral partnership between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Blinken expressed his pride in the historic 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 indicated that both countries will celebrate this year the twentieth anniversary of the appointment of the Kingdom of Bahrain as a major non-NATO ally of the United States.
He stressed 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 hope that the coming days will bear fruit through the four working groups that will focus on discussing ways to enhance cooperation in various fields, including security, trade, culture and other important areas, which will revolve among the representatives of the United States. The State Department and relevant US agencies as well as their Bahraini counterparts.
He stressed the importance of building on the solid bilateral relations between the two countries to achieve everything that benefits the peoples of the two countries and the security and stability of the region.
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