His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan have stepped forward over the last year to speak more than anyone else about the importance of peace and dialogue, said the UK Ambassador to Bahrain.
Speaking to the Bahrain News Agency (BNA) following the visit of the UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Ambassador Alastair Long noted that the visit to Bahrain and Jordan aimed to listen to “good friends” during a critical time for the region.
During the visit, Foreign Secretary Lammy held talks with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Long highlighted the significance of these engagements, noting that the visit reaffirmed the UK’s strong relations with Bahrain and its commitment to ongoing cooperation in addressing regional challenges.
On how the strateg
ic partnership between Bahrain and the UK aligns with the five priorities announced by the Foreign Secretary, Ambassador Long highlighted the strong synergy between the two countries. He said the relationship between the two countries is not just about regular engagements, but about addressing critical global challenges together.
He emphasised that it was important to have mechanisms in place for continuous dialogue and collaboration. He noted that it was evident during the Foreign Secretary’s visit that these efforts are driven at the highest levels by the strong political will and friendship between the two nations.
The five priorities of the UK foreign policy include the climate and nature crisis, strengthening global security, promoting international development, advancing human rights and enhancing global trade.
Ambassador Long acknowledged the central role Bahrain plays through its presidency of the Arab League, emphasising the Kingdom’s diplomatic leadership in facilitating dialogue and promoting pe
ace across the region. He praised Bahrain’s efforts under His Majesty King Hamad’s guidance, particularly during the Arab League Summit held in Manama in May, which he described as both logistically successful and diplomatically impactful.
“Bahrain’s leadership was evident during the Arab League Summit, where consensus was reached on critical issues such as education, healthcare, the Palestinian cause, and FinTech,” said Ambassador Long.
The Ambassador highlighted Bahrain’s call for an International Peace Conference as a key initiative recognised by the UK.
“Bahrain is uniquely positioned to host such a peace conference,” said Ambassador Long, noting the Kingdom’s strong diplomatic relationships with various regional players and its balanced stance, making it an ideal mediator for future peace talks.
However, he added that Bahrain recognises the importance of timing, stressing that focus at the moment must be on de-escalating current conflicts before moving toward discussing prospects of enduring peace.
In addition to Bahrain’s Arab League presidency, the discussions covered pressing regional concerns, including the situations in Lebanon, Gaza, and the ongoing efforts to work toward a viable Palestinian state. Both the UK and Bahrain agreed on the urgent need for ceasefires in these areas and the provision of humanitarian aid.
Ambassador Long expressed deep concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling for immediate action to address the crisis, while reaffirming the shared objective of finding a path toward peace and a sustainable Palestinian state.
The Foreign Secretary’s visit to United Kingdom Naval Support Facility in Bahrain further strengthened the focus on regional security, where he was briefed on operations by the combined maritime forces. This coalition of 46 nations works to combat illegal activities, such as drug smuggling, piracy, and arms trafficking, all of which threaten the region’s stability.
Ambassador Long praised Bahrain’s role in supporting these plurilateral efforts, par
ticularly in safeguarding maritime routes essential to international trade. He also addressed the growing threat posed by Houthi attacks in Bab Al Mandab, rejecting any attempt to link these actions to the Gaza conflict, as conflating the two issues only misleads public perception.
Furthermore, the Ambassador reflected on the deep-rooted relationship between Bahrain and the UK, which spans more than 200 years, making it one of the oldest in the region. He said this friendship is based on mutual respect, shared values, and a commitment to addressing both regional and global challenges.
He expressed optimism about the future of Bahrain-UK relations, especially in areas like technology, sustainability, environment and education. Ambassador Long highlighted the shared vision between the two nations for inclusive growth, with both countries working on projects that benefit their economies and societies.
Whether it’s collaborating on new technology or investing in sustainability, he said, Bahrain and the UK unde
rstand the importance of joint efforts that support the future prosperity of both nations.
The Ambassador concluded by stressing that the Foreign Secretary’s visit further solidified the strategic partnership between Bahrain and the UK. He pointed out that the visit was not just about formal engagements but demonstrated a genuine meeting of minds between the two nations on matters of peace, security, and economic cooperation.
Source: Bahrain News Agency
