Foreign Minister receives phone call from UK Minister of State

Manama, July 23 (BNA): Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, today received a phone call from the UK Minister of State for the Middle East at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Dr. Andrew Murrison. The minister expressed his sincere congratulations to Dr. Andrew Murrison, on his appointment as Minister of State for the Middle East at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, wishing him every success in carrying out his duties. The Minister of Foreign Affairs noted the distinguished and proceeding path of the close historic friendly relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom, in addition to its diversity that includes all aspects of political, economic, security and other areas which underline the depth of bilateral cooperation and promote the common interests of the two friendly countries and peoples, affirming the keenness of the Kingdom of Bahrain to continue consultations and joint coordination on various regional and international issues. Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa reiterated Bahrain's condemnation of Iran's detention of a UK tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing Bahrain's strong solidarity with the United Kingdom against those who threaten its security, and strong rejection of Iran's repeated practices that threaten the safety of maritime navigation and undermine international peace and security. Dr. Andrew Murrison expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and his pride in the friendly relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom and the progress it is witnessing at various levels, wishing the Kingdom of Bahrain continued advancement and prosperity.