Interior Minister meets US Homeland Security Secretary; three agreements signed

Washington, Jul 2 (BNA): Bahrain’s development, democratic and reform strides, led by His Majesty Kingdom Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa came under the spotlight. “HM the King’s approach focuses on promoting the values of democracy, tolerance, coexistence and openness to the other, which had a great impact consolidating justice,reform security and stability”, said Interior Minister Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa. He made the comments as he met US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, in the presence of Bahrain’s Ambassador in Washington Shaikh Abdulla bin Rashid Al-Khalifa, Interior Ministry’s Undersecretary for Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs Shaikh Hesham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa and the accompanying delegation. He praised the US role in developing the capabilities of the police in the fight against terrorism, lauding the level of cooperation and security coordination and the exchange of experitise within the framework of strategic partnership and continuous communication. During the meeting, Mayorkas welcomed the minister’s visit, stressing the importance of consolidating joint cooperation across all fields between the two countries. He stressed Bahrain’s standing as a key partner and ally of the United States in facing security threats and risks on the regional and international arenas. He underscored the importance of agreements and memoranda of understanding signed between the two sides, expressing the United States' readiness to provide the necessary support and enhance the exchange of expertise between the two countries.related to counter-terrorism, cybersecurity and ways to enhance security cooperation through exchanging visits and expertise. Gen. Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa signed three memoranda of understanding between the two ministries, aimed at enhancing joint cooperation in combating terrorism financing, cybersecurity and drone systems. He stressed the importance of international cooperation in the field of unmanned aircraft systems, in light of the risks they posed in recent year. He pointed out that continued international cooperation is vital in combating cyber attacks and building cybersecurity capabilities, expressing his aspiration to work more closely with the United States, as a world leader in this field. He stressed the importance of increasing cooperation with friends and partners around the world to combat human trafficking, praising the intensification of work with the United States in the areas of training and information exchange. “Bahrain, like the United States, has always been aware of the need for a comprehensive approach to combating terrorism, including effective measures to cut off sources of funding and support”, he said, noting the expansion of cooperation to combat terrorist financing, in line with the strategic and security objectives of the two countries. He pointed out that continued international cooperation is vital in combating cyber attacks and building cybersecurity capabilities, expressing his aspiration to work more closely with the United States, as a world leader in this field. He stressed the importance of increasing cooperation with friends and partners around the world to combat human trafficking, praising the intensification of work with the United States in the areas of training and information exchange. “Bahrain, like the United States, has always been aware of the need for a comprehensive approach to combating terrorism, including effective measures to cut off sources of funding and support”, he said, noting the expansion of cooperation to combat terrorist financing, in line with the strategic and security objectives of the two countries.