Riffa: His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, today engaged in a diplomatic meeting with His Excellency Alastair Long, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Bahrain, at the Riffa Palace. The meeting underscored the extensive and historical relations between Bahrain and the United Kingdom.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the Crown Prince highlighted the ongoing progress in bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, facilitated by strategic partnerships and joint agreements like the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA). The discussions also focused on deepening cooperation and exploring future opportunities that could further enhance collaboration between the two nations.
The Crown Prince commended the advancements in the GCC-UK Free Trade Agreement, which reached a significant milestone with the signing of a Joint Statement. This agreement is expected to fortify economic ties between the GCC and the United Kingdom, aligning with the visions and aspirations of the GCC member states. His Royal Highness acknowledged the efforts of HE Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, whose dedication was pivotal in achieving this strategic milestone during Bahrain's presidency of the 46th session of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Appreciation was also extended to the national task force involved in the negotiations, which included representatives from various government entities.
Further, the Crown Prince praised the robust Bahrain-UK partnership, emphasizing its crucial role in combating hostile Iranian aggression. The UK's contributions, along with those of allied countries, in maintaining security and stability, and supporting regional and international development were also recognized.
The meeting provided a platform to discuss the latest regional and international developments, alongside other issues of mutual interest. The session was attended by His Excellency Hamad bin Faisal Al Malki, Minister of Cabinet Affairs.