Bahrain-Turkey relations bolstered by naval visit

By Danielle Doporto Manama, Mar. 15 (BNA): Steadily increasing commercial ties are a key indicator of the growing relations between Bahrain and Turkey, the Turkish ambassador to Bahrain has said. “In 2014, bilateral trade volume between Turkey and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) amounted to almost $16 billion, with the figure for Bahrain standing at around $500 million compared with $139 million in 2009,” Hatun Demirer said. “There are also frequent instances of cultural exchange. Last year for example during the Bahrain Spring of Culture we had a nice exhibition at Bahrain National Museum; this is just one of the cultural activities that was realised last year,” she said in an interview with Bahrain News Agency (BNA). The Turkish warship visit to Bahrain on March 7-11 as part of a GCC tour designed to enhance bilateral relations between Turkey and the Gulf countries, had a particular focus on joint military cooperation and coordination. The Turkish national warship is participating in multinational operations and exercises as part of Nato’s counter piracy Operation Ocean Shield. Although no military agreements were signed between Turkey and Bahrain, the Turkish Deputy Minister of National Defence Hassan Kamal Yardımcı met the Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. It is the first deployment for the Turkish Navy Corvette TCG Buyukada (F-512), the second vessel of its kind to be wholly designed and constructed by Turkish engineers at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard in Tuzla. Previously it visited Jeddah, Oman and Qatar; and from Bahrain sailed to Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province and Kuwait before returning to Turkey. The 2400 tonne, 99.5 metre long Milgem Class corvette carries a helicopter and crew of approximately 90 sailors, and is equipped with indigenous surface, air and anti-submarine warfare weapons systems. “We are proud of that ship because it’s part of the first production so it means a lot for us,” Ambassador Demirer said. “It was particularly significant for the members of Bahrain’s resident Turkish community who were welcomed on-board by the ship’s commander during the five-day visit, especially for the Turkish children living here. Seeing a Turkish ship with the flags meant a lot to them and the experience was quite emotional.” Bahrain is home to approximately 2000 Turkish expatriates. The voyage of TCG Buyukada paves the way for greater military ties between the friendly nations and Turkey aspires to reinforce its relations with the Gulf Arab states on all fronts. “Cooperation is always important in all fields… there is political will at the highest level to develop relations... in every field there is movement, a dynamism, and this will continue,” Demirer said. Demirer expressed satisfaction that the corvette’s visit to Bahrain successfully met aspirations to highlight Turkey’s many capabilities and renewed commitment to work together in diverse fields. “Really the historical background is very important between the two countries - two brotherly countries - it may sound cliché but it is like that… with this background you can do anything, so it is an open area,” she said.