Partnerships key to maintain regional, national security, stability and peace: Bahrain Foreign Minister

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Security partnerships in the Middle East region are necessary to maintain regional and national security.
 No country in the region, or perhaps even in the world, can guarantee its security in isolation.

This was emphasised by Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani during his speech at the closing plenary session of the 16th IISS Manama Dialogue, under the title “New Security Partnerships in the Middle East.”

Minister Al Zayani said that anything that would enhance cooperation more than confrontation should be good to regional security, especially since the previous approach over many decades had achieved very little in solving basic problems.

He added that by establishing and strengthening new ways of security cooperation, “we will be better equipped to identify, assess, deter and address any potential regional security challenges.”

Minister Al Zayani stressed that the recent decades have clearly confirmed that the security of the Gulf and the Middle East is more effectively protected when countries work together with regional allies and international partners.
He affirmed that this dynamic will be strengthened in the coming years.
Dr Al Zayani pointed out that the most important development that occurred in the Middle East region this year was the signing of the Abraham Accords, and the opportunity it provided to establish real new partnerships for regional security. 
The Minister said the main goal must always be to protect national and common interests within the framework of a region that enjoys security, stability and peace that benefit all states and people.

In assessing and developing “new” security partnerships, he explained, it must be taken into account that new partnerships should be seen as complementing, not replacing, the old ones.

The Minister also congratulated His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, on the success of two important international events, the Formula 1 and the Manama Dialogue at a time in which the world is facing the COVID-19 pandemic.