HM King Hamad receives British Foreign and Defence ministers

Manama, Dec6(BNA)His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa today commended the signing of a military arrangement between the Government of Bahrain and the UK. "The deal which was signed yesterday aims at developing a facility at the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) base at Mina Salman, which would provide military facilities to the British Royal Navy", he said. This came as he received at Sakhir Palace British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and The Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon marking their visit to Bahrain to attend the 10th edition of Manama Dialogue. HM the King underscored the importance of the agreement which, he said, represents a crucial addition to further bolster solid bilateral relations that date back to almost 100 years ago. "The agreement would contribute to expanding the prospects of military and defence cooperation between Bahrain and Britain", he said, hailing the historical role of the UK, whether with Bahrain or with other countries in the region, as decades-long partners in maintaining security and peace in this strategic part of the world. HM the King reviewed with the British ministers deep-rooted historic relations bonding the two friendly countries and steadily-growing cooperation on all levels, stressing Bahrain’s keenness on further bolstering ties and expanding joint cooperation so as to meet the aspirations of the two friendly countries and peoples. He lauded the positive participation of the two British ministers in the Manama dialogue so as to exchange opinions and views regarding the issues of regional and international security and stability, in addition to security challenges and the scourge of terror that confront the world, hence the need for such gatherings and forums. HM the King discussed with the British ministers regional and international developments as well as issues of mutual interest, stressing the importance of maintaining security and stability and steering the region away from tensions. The British Foreign Secretary welcomed the military arrangement which was signed yesterday between the two countries, saying that the security of Bahrain is an integral part of Britain’s security. He reiterated his country’s keenness on developing bilateral relations with the Kingdom of Bahrain in all fields.