HM King receives US defence secretary

Manama, Oct. 26 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received, at the Gudaibiya Palace today, US Defence Secretary, James Mattis, along with the commander of U.S. Central Command, General Joseph L. Votel. Secretary Mattis is currently on a visit to the kingdom to take part in the 14th IISS Manama Dialogue. HM the King welcomed the US defence secretary and the commander of U.S. Central Command, and expressed pride in the depth of the solid deep-rooted relations and partnership between the two countries, noting that the Bahrain-US relations are based on a long history of mutual trust and respect, as well as joint coordination for the common interests of the two friendly countries and their peoples. HM King Hamad lauded the steady progress of bilateral relations in all fields, within the two countries’ shared keenness to develop them especially regarding military coordination and defence cooperation. HM the King and the US defence secretary exchanged points of view vis-à-vis issues of common interest, in addition to the on-going events in the region, and the main topics on the agenda of the IISS Manama Dialogue which, they said, offers a promising opportunity to decision-makers in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world to agree on solutions to some of the region’s pressing issues, and on ways to face current regional challenges. HM King Hamad hailed the US Administration’s “effective” efforts and “pivotal” role in strengthening the pillars of security, stability and peace in the region, reiterating the kingdom’s constant support for the efforts exerted by USA, as well as by regional and international sides in this regard. HM the King expressed appreciation of the efforts exerted by Defence Secretary, James Mattis, for the sake of enhancing Bahrain-US military and defence cooperation.