UK, Bahrain sign MoU, vow to coordinate stances

The UK and Bahrain have on Tuesday signed a key memorandum of understanding as UK Foreign Secretary William Hague met in London with Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa. Under the agreement, the two countries pledge to bolster relations and step up political and diplomatic coordination, Bahrain’s state news agency BNA reported. The two sides also committed to coordinate stances regarding security, the fight against terror, trade, investments and regional cooperation, as they agreed to hold the annual meetings of the joint Bahrain-Britain working team alternately between the two countries. During the meeting, Al-Khalifa stressed Bahrain’s “firm resolve” to implement the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) with regards to last year’s unrest. The Bahraini official said his country is keen on working with all parties to renounce violence and promote an environment conducive to a comprehensive national dialogue, BNA reported. For his part, Hague praised Bahrain’s efforts to overcome challenges resulting from last year’s unrest and its commitment to implement the BICI recommendations. Hague also underscored the importance of coordinating international stances so as to promote security and stability in the strategic and volatile region of the Middle East.