Joint Communique between the Governments of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America

Washington, July 21 (BNA): Following the third Bahraini-US strategic dialogue, the two countries issued the following joint statement:

His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anthony J. Blinken on July 20 at the culmination of the third annual meeting of the US-Bahrain Strategic Dialogue. The strategic dialogue works to activate the permanent commitment of the United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain to bilateral and regional security, shared economic prosperity, relations between peoples, and principles supporting the international order. The United States and Bahrain renewed their commitment to freedom of navigation in international waters, noting in particular the importance of ensuring safe passage for commercial navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and condemning actions that endanger freedom of navigation. The United States and Bahrain renewed their joint commitment to deter and confront threats to the Kingdom of Bahrain and to promote regional peace and security.

The Strategic Dialogue, which was held virtually and in person during June and July, included four working groups covering the depth and breadth of bilateral cooperation. The Strategic Dialogue strengthened joint efforts in regional security, maritime security, and countering emerging and transnational threats through new initiatives to expand assistance and training in counterterrorism, cybersecurity, border security programs, and law enforcement cooperation.

The two sides decided to develop economic relations within the context of the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement, and to continue discussions on issues related to trade, communications, tourism, and new activities that support energy efficiency and the transition to clean energy sources. Ahead of COP 28 in the United Arab Emirates, the United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain reiterated their goals to combat climate change by deploying clean energy and innovations such as carbon capture technologies. In support of this, the two sides affirmed their intention to maintain cooperation to develop the US trade zone, and expressed their intention to sign a memorandum of understanding between the US Export-Import Bank and Bahrain’s Ministry of Finance and National Economy to facilitate financing US exports to the Kingdom for strategic projects.

The United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain also enjoy extensive and growing educational and cultural exchanges. Both sides look forward to expanding opportunities for Bahrainis to study in the United States and participate in American exchanges, and both sides hail the closer ties between American and Bahraini universities. The United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain commended increased cooperation in developing youth talent throughout the year and expressed their intention to sign a memorandum of understanding on youth affairs. The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed their intention to sign a statement of intent in the field of cultural heritage, and to promote long-term cooperation in the field of cultural exchange. The two sides also discussed ways to enhance media cooperation and the profession of journalism.

With regard to the Abraham Accords, Bahrain and the United States reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening regional cooperation within the Negev Forum working groups, particularly the working groups on regional security and health co-chaired by Bahrain and the United States. The Abraham Accords build on Bahrain’s continued progress in promoting coexistence, tolerance and the promotion of a multicultural society.

The open and pragmatic nature of the Strategic Dialogue has distinguished the US-Bahrain alliance of friendship and security for decades. The talks emphasized the importance of shared values, including respect for the principle of sovereignty and international law enshrined in the United Nations Charter and a commitment to refrain from the threat or use of force against the borders, territorial integrity or political independence of any country. The discussions referred to the importance of universal values, human rights and fundamental freedoms, based on the ongoing cooperation in human rights dialogue between the two countries. The two sides also continued talks on combating human trafficking, recognizing that Bahrain maintained the first rank for the sixth year in a row in the US State Department’s annual report on human trafficking.

The United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain look forward to convening the Strategic Dialogue again in the future and conducting follow-up sessions to advance progress on specific initiatives. This bilateral mechanism reflects and reaffirms the close partnership between our two countries, and the intention to promote common priorities that build a safe, secure, peaceful and prosperous future. “

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