MANAMA: Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and the British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond sealed the military deal, aiming to develop a British Royal Navy facility at the base of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) in Mina Salman.
The agreement was signed in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, Bahrain and Britain signed a landmark defence agreement on the sidelines of the 10th Manama Dialogue, which kicked off on Friday.
Deputy Premier Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Minister of State for Defence Affairs Lieutenant-General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, BDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa and British Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon were present.
The Foreign Minister said the agreement would enhance the continuous and multi-faceted cooperation and partnership between the two friendly countries.
It also affirms the two countries’ joint keenness to support regional security and stability, he added, noting that Bahrain is looking forward to implementing the agreement as soon as possible.
The British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond expressed delight at signing the agreement in the presence of HRH the Crown Prince, noting that the expansion of the British Royal Navy facilities would increase its operation.
The British Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon said that the deal would consolidate bilateral military cooperation.