Bahrain, UK for greater ties
Manama : The Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa yesterday received and held discussions with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Theresa May.
During the meeting, HRH Prince Salman highlighted May’s participation in the 37th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit as a reflection of the long-standing ties.
Emphasizing shared commitments, Prince Salman also underscored the wide-ranging opportunities that exist particularly in the economic, strategic and security areas to further develop bilateral ties.
While stressing on the importance of regular exchange of bilateral visits, the Crown Prince said that similar stances adopted by Bahrain and the UK on various issues served to expand bilateral ties and attain strategic goals.
The Crown Prince and UK Prime Minister also discussed a number of key issues of regional and international importance. Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa was also present.
The British Prime Minister was also earlier received by Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. The Prime Minister asserted that her participation in Summit reflects the strong GCC-British ties.
“Gulf security, our security”
The British Prime Minister Theresa May also took time out from the two-day trip yesterday to visit the Khalifa bin Salman Port. “Gulf security is our security,” she said, while praising the strategic value of Britain’s relations with the Kingdom.
“This is a particularly special moment for me because it’s my first time as Prime Minister on board a Royal Navy ship, and it’s a very proud one too as I have the privilege of talking to you, our brave men and women, who put yourselves on the line to keep our country safe and protect Britain’s interests,” she said standing on the flight deck of HMS Ocean surrounded by 300 sailors, airmen and Marines.
“And as Britain steps up to forge a new, positive, confident role for our country on the global stage, the Royal Navy will be an important part of our vision, pursuing our objectives of security on land and at sea and helping to ensure the free flow of international trade,” she added, highlighting the strategic importance of the oil and gas supplies from the Middle East.
The Prime Minister also passed her festive greetings to British troops and said she was delighted to “see and hear for myself the terrific work that you’re doing out here where, more than ever, Gulf security is our security”.
To Riffa Fort
The British Prime Minister also found some time to visit the landmarks in Bahrain.
During a visit to Riffa Fort, she hailed the Bahraini talents lauding the 200-year-old UK-Bahrain relations.
She also interacted with a number of Bahraini youngsters. May was received by Southern Governor Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa.
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