HRH Premier stresses Saudi Arabia's strategic status, praises relations with UK

Manama, Oct. 27 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has stressed the importance of Saudi Arabia in the region and the world, noting that it is the backbone of security and stability in the region in light of its weight and distinguished status on the regional and global arenas. “Saudi Arabia is the all-inclusive home, and the strategic depth of this vital region,” HRH Premier said. “"Everyone appreciates the tremendous efforts exerted by Saudi Arabia to champion the causes of justice and the Right. Such endeavours have preserved the unity of the region and its peoples and strengthened their ability to face various challenges,” the Prime Minister added. HRH Premier made the statements while receiving, at his Palace in Riffa today, UK’s Minister of State for the Middle East, Alistair Burt, and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence People and Veterans, Tobias Ellwood, who are on a visit to the kingdom to take part in 14th IISS Manama Dialogue. The Prime Minister welcomed the delegation’s visit to the kingdom, which, he said, reflects the two friendly countries’ deep-rooted distinguished relations based on mutual respect and understanding vis-à-vis regional and international issues. HRH Premier affirmed that the special historical Bahrain-UK relations have always been diverse and covered many fields that serve the two countries’ interests, noting that Bahrain looks forward to further bolstering its cooperation with the UK in all fields, especially regional security and stability. “We are pleased with our historic relationship with the UK, and with our cooperation with it in everything that would bring good returns to our countries and peoples in the present and future,” HRH Premier said. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of intensifying meetings between officials of both countries and increasing cooperation between them. "We have a lot to talk about or cooperate on. Our relationship with your country is distinguished,” the Premier said while addressing the UK delegation. HRH Premier underlined Bahrain’s support for all efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region, stressing that the aim of any meetings or talks is to turn recommendations and outcomes into actions on the ground that serve the interests of countries and their peoples. The Prime Minister added that the multiple security and economic challenges facing the world require more resolution and determination by the International Community to establish the foundations of effective international cooperation based on a vision that recognises the requirements of the current stage and looks forward to the future. The meeting also reviewed the latest regional and global developments. The two British officials expressed their sincere thanks and appreciation to HRH the Prime Minister for his interest in all efforts aimed at bolstering relations between the two friendly countries, stressing that the Bahraini-British relations are characterised by their historical dimensions, and are witnessing continuous progress in various sectors, in light of the mutual respect and understanding between them. They expressed their satisfaction with the Bahraini-British ties, noting that look forward to broader relations that would serve the two countries' policies and common interests.