Crown Prince meets Singapore’s Minister of State for Defence and National Development

Manama, Dec 6 (BNA) -- His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, today met His Excellency Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Singapore’s Minister of State for Defence and National Development. Taking place on the sidelines of the Manama Dialogue, the meeting focused on bilateral cooperation between Bahrain and Singapore and ways to further boost bilateral ties. His Royal Highness and Dr Maliki Bin Osman stressed the similarities between the two countries and explored how to increase foreign direct investments and enhance maritime defence cooperation. Turning to the extremist ideologies pervading the Middle East, His Royal Highness highlighted that Bahrain, as a global partner for long-term peace and security, remains fully committed to countering all forms of terrorism and violent extremism to ensure lasting stability in the Middle East. His Royal Highness went on to stress that the international community present a united front in efforts to counter violent ideologies and combat the rise of evil theocracies who believe they have a divine right to rule. In this regard, His Royal Highness and Dr Maliki Bin Osman stressed the importance of utilising a wide array of tools, including social media and cultural initiatives, to tackle the exploitation of religion for the promotion of extremism. For his part, Dr Maliki Bin Osman expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to meet with His Royal Highness and congratulated him on the success of the recent elections. His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, son of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also attended the meeting.