The following statements were announced by the United States and the Bahrain government in the US -Bahrain strategic dialogue at Washington DC.
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Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met on July 20 as the culmination of the third annual meeting of the U.S.-Bahrain Strategic Dialogue. The Strategic Dialogue operationalizes the United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain’s enduring commitment to bilateral and regional security, shared economic prosperity, people-to-people ties, and the principles that underpin the international order. The United States and Bahrain reaffirmed their commitment to freedom of navigation on the high seas, noted the importance of ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, and condemned actions that endanger free navigation. The United States and Bahrain reiterated their shared commitment to deterring and countering threats to the Kingdom of Bahrain and strengthening regional peace and security.
The Strategic Dialogue, held virtually and in-person from June to July, included four working groups covering the depth and breadth of bilateral cooperation. The Strategic Dialogue will address regional security, maritime security, and countering emerging and transnational threats through counterterrorism assistance and training, cybersecurity, border security programs, and new efforts to expand law enforcement cooperation. advanced joint efforts in
Both sides decided to strengthen economic relations within the framework of the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement and discussed trade-related matters, telecommunications, tourism, energy efficiency and new activities to support the transition to clean energy sources. continued. Ahead of COP 28 in the UAE, the United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain reiterated their goals to combat climate change through the deployment of innovations such as clean energy and carbon capture technology. In support of this, both sides emphasized their determination to maintain cooperation for the development of the US Trade Zone and expressed their intention to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the US Export-Import Bank and the Bahrain Ministry of Finance. An economy that promotes export and deposits for US exports to Saudi Arabia for strategic projects.
The United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain also enjoy comprehensive and growing educational and cultural exchanges. Both look forward to expanding opportunities for Balanis to study in the United States and participate in U.S. exchanges, and both sides welcomed the closer relationship between the United States and the University of Bahrain. The United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain commended the increased cooperation on youth talent development throughout the year and expressed their intention to sign the Mu on Youth Affairs. Bahraini authorities at the Ministry of Culture and Antiquities expressed their intention to sign a statement of intentions in the field of cultural heritage, strengthening long-standing cooperation on cultural exchanges. The two sides also discussed media cooperation and ways to strengthen the journalism profession.
In relation to the Abraham Accords, Bahrain and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to foster regional cooperation within the Negev Forum Working Groups, particularly the Regional Security and Health Working Group, which is co-chaired by Bahrain and the United States. The Abraham Accords build on Bahrain’s continued progress in promoting tolerant coexistence and fostering a multicultural society.
The open and pragmatic nature of the strategic dialogue has characterized the decades-long friendship and security alliance between the United States and Bahrain. The dialogue emphasized the importance of shared values, including respect for sovereignty and the principles of international law as incorporated in the United Nations Charter, and the obligation to refrain from the threat or use of force against national borders, territorial integrity, and the political independence of states. It was done. The discussion highlighted the importance of universal values, human rights, and fundamental freedoms, building on continued cooperation in human rights dialogue between the two countries. The two countries also continued discussions on combating human trafficking, and recognized Bahrain’s continued Tier 1 status in the U.S. Department of State’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report for the sixth consecutive year.
The United States and the Bahrain kingdom hope that strategic dialogue will be re -held in the future and follow -up sessions will be held to promote the progress of specific initiatives. The two -country mechanism reflects the closest partnership between the two countries and the intention of promoting a common priority to building a safe, secure, peaceful and more rich future.
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