Blinken took advantage of the meeting to thank Bahrain for being one of the first Arab countries to normalize relations with Israel.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifasigned this Wednesday an agreement on military, economic and technological cooperation between the two countries.
At an event in Washington to sign the document, Blinken revealed that he wants to use this agreement as a “template” to close agreements with other countries in the Middle East that want to “strengthen regional stability, economic cooperation and innovation in technology.”
“The agreement we signed today will ensure that our important relationship allows us to build a more prosperous future for the people of the entire region,” said the leader of US diplomacy.
The United States and Bahrain established diplomatic relations in 1971 when it became independent from the United Kingdom, although the common history between the two dates back to the early 20th century when American missionaries opened the first modern hospital in that area.
The kingdom of Bahrain is also home to the headquarters of the Central Command of the United States Naval Force, which operates in the Persian Gulf.
https://twitter.com/SecBlinken/status/1702044861451440451?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The agreement signed this Wednesday will allow for the strengthening of coordination between the armed forces of the two countries and their intelligence services to “respond to threats,” said Blinken.
It will also strengthen economic relations between the two countries, which have tripled their trade exchange since the implementation of a free trade agreement in 2006, and facilitate joint work in the development of new renewable energy sources. technology.
Blinken took advantage of the meeting with the crown prince, who also serves as prime minister, to thanks to Bahrain for being one of the first Arab countries to normalize relations with Israel within the Abraham Accords signed just three years ago.
And he encouraged her to work for human rights and fight against human trafficking.
Salman bin Hamad said that the signed agreement put “the basis of a new global architecture” because it not only focuses on security and defense, but also on economy, technology and people.
“As this is an open agreement, I hope we will receive more members,” he said.
