Bahrain, UK Review Security and Regional Challenges

TDT | Manama

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Bahrain's Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani met with the United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Ed Miliband, at the UK Foreign Office in London on Thursday.

At the start of the meeting, Al Zayani congratulated Miliband on his appointment in the new British government led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham. He praised the long-standing friendship between Bahrain and the UK and expressed confidence that bilateral relations would continue to grow across all sectors.

Miliband welcomed Al Zayani as the first international foreign minister to meet him at the Foreign Office since taking office. He reaffirmed the UK's commitment to strengthening cooperation and coordination with Bahrain, highlighting the importance of the historic ties between the two countries.

The British foreign secretary also expressed the UK's solidarity with Bahrain over what he described as Iranian attacks on the Kingdom, and voiced support for Bahrain's efforts to safeguard its security and stability.

The two ministers reviewed progress under the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), discussed the outcomes of the Bahrain-UK Strategic Dialogue, and explored ways to further expand cooperation through existing agreements and memoranda of understanding.

Regional developments were also high on the agenda. The ministers discussed the impact of the recent Iranian attacks on Bahrain and other regional countries, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its consequences for maritime navigation, international trade and the global economy.

They also exchanged views on enhancing Bahrain-UK coordination during Bahrain's membership of the United Nations Security Council on issues under consideration by the Council.