Kingdom-NATO co-operation stressed at Kuwait meeting

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for International Affairs, Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, attended the ceremony marking the 15th Anniversary of the Istanbul Co-operation Initiative. The ceremony was organised by the brotherly State of Kuwait, represented by its National Security Apparatus, under the patronage of the Prime Minister of Kuwait, His Highness Shaikh Sabah Khalid Al Hamad Al Sabah.

Also present were Chairman of the Kuwaiti National Security Apparatus (NSA), Shaikh Thamer Ali Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as well as the Ambassadors of the NATO countries. 

Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, spoke at a seminar devoted to research centers in the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative countries, entitled “15 years of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative - Achievements and Future Aspirations”, moderated NATO Deputy Secretary-General Mircea Geoana, where the Cooperation between the ICI-NATO countries was highlighted from a scientific-academic perspective.

The Undersecretary for International Affairs reviewed the Kingdom’s initiatives and efforts in the fields of reform, progress and counter-terrorism, as well as its commitment to maritime security, in cooperation with allies and partners, stressing in this regard the efforts exerted by the NATO Alliance in maintaining international peace and security. 

He also affirmed that the continued consultations will contribute to a better understanding of the strategic needs of each party, help in building capacities and skills, and put forward new paths and visions to deal with existing and emerging challenges, in the context of an effective and sustainable security partnership.

He also  noted the second edition of the Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme between  the  Kingdom of Bahrain and NATO  for the period 2018- 2020 achieved fruitful and constructive results, namely in the field of political and diplomatic cooperation, as well as the exchange of defence and security experiences.

The Undersecretary for International Affairs pointed out that the Kingdom of Bahrain recognises the importance of a comprehensive fight against the threat of terrorism, calling for the concerted efforts of the international community to face the extremist ideology and rhetoric, prevent its funding sources, and deter those who provide safe havens for terrorists, calling them necessary and preventive measures to reduce the threat of terrorism. 

He also warned against the danger of targeting national institutions of countries in the Middle East region to spread chaos, and the continuation of arms race by the development of ballistic missiles, along with the dangers of militias and terrorist networks and their role in threatening regional security, as they pose direct threats to the region and the vital area of NATO.