Bahrain one of the 'treasured' allies in the region : US official

Washington : Bahrain represents one of the United States’ oldest and most treasured allies in the region, said Richard Spencer, the United States Secretary of the Navy, 

The strength of the bilateral relationship, Spencer said, is underpinned by the Kingdom’s ongoing support for the US Fifth Fleet, which represents an integral part of the United States’ forward deployed protection force.

He was speaking during a reception held by the Embassy of Bahrain in Washington DC to celebrate the National Day and the 18th Anniversary of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s Accession to the Throne. 

The event hosted by the Ambassador of Bahrain to the United States, Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashed Al Khalifa, was attended by Vice President of Worldwide Public Sector for Amazon Web Services (AWS), Teresa Carlson, and members of the United States Congress. 

Shaikh Abdullah noted that Bahrain-US relations span over one century and have evolved over a multitude of spheres, reinforcing Bahrain as a model for tolerance and coexistence.

He highlighted the strength of Bahrain’s security partnership with the United States, noting that 2017 marks the 70th anniversary of the United States’ oldest military relationship in the region.

The ambassador welcomed the $10 billion of new business deals signed on the sidelines of the recent official visit by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister to the US, noting that the magnitude of these deals illustrates the Kingdom’s commitment to the United States as a valued trade partner.

Spencer welcomed the extension of the Bahrain-US Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) signed during HRH the Crown Prince’s recent visit, noting that the measure will further solidify bilateral relations.

In her remarks, the Vice President of Worldwide Public Sector for AWS highlighted that Bahrain National Day offers an opportunity to acknowledge His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s vision, which has guided the Kingdom to a position of leadership across the world.

Carlson praised Bahrain’s commitment to increasing industry diversification and building the workforce for tomorrow while recognising the potential of cloud computing to deliver sustainable development in the Kingdom and the wider region.

She acknowledged that with the support of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Bahrain’s Economic Development Board (EDB), Bahrain has become a world leader in cloud computing that is bringing significant value to Bahraini citizens

The AWS’ decision to locate its first MENA region hub in Bahrain, Carlson said, is a testament to the creativity, innovation and forward thinking visible across Bahrain’s economy and government institutions.