His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Prime Minister, met Wednesday with Lieutenant General Nick Perry DSO MBE, Chief of Joint Operations in the United Kingdom, and the accompanying delegation, at Riffa Palace.
His Royal Highness highlighted the longstanding relationship between Bahrain and the United Kingdom, which is underpinned by bilateral cooperation and strategic partnerships.
HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad emphasised the shared commitment to deepening cooperation across all fields, particularly in the military and defence sectors, in line with existing partnerships and agreements, including the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (CSIPA).
His Royal Highness commended the strategic nature of the bilateral relationship between both nations, noting the importance of advancing coordination and cooperation to support shared interests and aspirations.
His Royal Highness stressed the critical role of the United Kingdom and its allies in safeguarding regional and international security, stability, and development.
During the meeting, the latest regional and international developments and issues of common interest were reviewed, HRH’s official website reported.
For his part, Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF), also received the visiting UK Chief of Joint Operations (CJO), and the accompanying delegation.
Lieutenant General Abdullah bin Hassan Al Nuaimi, Minister of Defence Affairs, was present.
The Commander-in-Chief commended the strong historical ties between the two kingdoms.
He also highlighted bilateral cooperation and ongoing efforts to further develop relations across various domains, including expertise exchange and military cooperation, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.
In another development, Lieutenant General His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s National Security Advisor, Royal Guard Commander and Secretary-General of the Supreme Defence Council, participated in a virtual meeting of Defence Ministers on the multinational military mission in the Strait of Hormuz.
The meeting was held Tuesday at the invitation of the United Kingdom and the French Republic, with the participation of more than 40 countries.
The meeting reviewed the latest regional security developments and explored means to strengthen joint international efforts aimed at supporting and securing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Discussions also covered mechanisms for coordination and cooperation among countries participating in the multinational mission, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.
Participants also highlighted the importance of enhancing the security of commercial and civilian vessels, supporting operations to protect shipping lanes, and conducting maritime mine clearance operations to ensure the smooth flow of international trade and the safety of maritime navigation.
The meeting further underscored support for diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and enhancing regional and international stability. Participants also called for more countries to join the mission in the future to contribute to these joint efforts and strengthen the effectiveness of international maritime operations. (Sources & Photo © Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s Official Website; BNA)
