Foreign Minister meets UK Foreign Secretary

Brussels, Jul. 14 (BNA): Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) for Palestine.

The meeting reviewed the longstanding ties between Bahrain and the UK and explored means to strengthen cooperation in the economic, investment, and development sectors in support of the two countries' shared interests.

The two ministers also discussed regional developments, including the continued Iranian attacks against Bahrain, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, and Jordan, the impact of Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz on international shipping, global trade, and the world economy, as well as coordination during Bahrain's membership of the UN Security Council to advance the implementation of Security Council resolutions in support of regional and international peace and security.

Dr. Al Zayani and Secretary Cooper reaffirmed their condemnation of the recent attacks in the Gulf region, expressed solidarity with the affected countries and seafarers, and stressed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to international navigation.  They also affirmed that no state should control the Strait or impose transit fees, and reiterated the close Bahrain–UK partnership on regional maritime security.