Syed Hussein Al -Qassab
The Agreement of Security Integration and Comprehensive Flooding draws the features of a new strategic partnership
A partnership in security, trade, technology, space and educational and cultural programs to enhance relationships
The “Bahrain Team” will remain a close partner and a promising future for the Kingdom thanks to its ambitious youth
The American Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Stephen Bondi, stressed that the relations between Bahrain and the United States today are stronger and deeper than ever, noting that the agreement of security integration and comprehensive prosperity has established the foundations of a new strategic partnership that includes security, trade, technology and space science, as well as economic cooperation that culminated in important deals, most notably the launch of a direct flight line between Manama and New York.
He also stressed the importance of educational and cultural programs in promoting human ties, pointing out that Bahrain is awaiting a promising future thanks to its educated and ambition. This came during a press conference held by the American ambassador on the occasion of the end of his work in the Kingdom, which began formally on February 9, 2022 after submitting his credentials to His Majesty the King, after his appointment by former US President Joe Biden in December 2021.
Bondi expressed during the conference his pride in serving his country in Bahrain, stressing that the past three and a half years have witnessed remarkable growth in the partnership between the two countries, to become more deep, strong and dynamic in various sectors, from security and defense, to trade, education and innovation, to the strong human ties that constitute the basis of this relationship.
He explained that this progress was clearly embodied in the “Security Integration and Comprehensive Integration Agreement” signed in September 2023 between His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister and former US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, which established the foundation stone for a modern partnership that supports joint security and opens up prospects for economic integration, before the United Kingdom joined it this year to enhance triple cooperation in regional security and prosperity.
He noted the remarkable development in economic cooperation, noting that the visit of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the Prime Minister to Washington last July, resulted in commercial deals, investments and prominent advertisements, most notably the launch of the direct aviation line between Manama and New York through Gulf Air, which will contribute to promoting trade and tourism exchange, and the peoples of the two countries are more than ever.
Bondi explained that the cooperation between the United States and Bahrain extends to various fields, from security and defense, to technology, financing and defense equipment, with joint work to create the floor for future economic growth, stressing that the announcement of direct flights reflects this trend, especially with the operation of “Boeing” aircraft equipped with GE Airbace engines.
He pointed out that the fields of strategic partnership are based on three main axes: military security, trade and investment, science and technology, which directly affect the priorities of growth, stability and prosperity.
He indicated that the fields of science and technology also witnessed a new breakthrough, citing the launch of the Bahraini satellite “Al -Mundhir” on an American missile from the company “SpaceX”, as a symbol of cooperation in exploring space and looking forward to the prospects of innovation, stressing that what distinguishes these achievements is the deep human ties that support them, pointing to his recent meeting with the winners of the International Crown Prince grant, who will join With prestigious American universities to build bridges of communication between future generations in the two countries.
The ambassador touched on his memories in Bahrain, highlighting the moment when he witnessed the signing of the strategic security agreement, which he described as giving bilateral relations a “strong boost” towards more growth. He also expressed his admiration for the Bahraini culture, recalling his presence of Ramadan councils, and his visit to the path of the pearl road that embodies the Kingdom’s history and transformations.
He pointed out that the future of Bahrain promises thanks to its educated and ambitious youth, indicating that the United States supports this future through education and cultural exchange programs, such as international scholarships, and through cooperation in the areas of advanced technology, as major American companies that depend on Bahraini competencies have become in areas such as programming and engineering.
He explained that Bahrain, despite its small area, has a great impact thanks to the quality of human capital and the rational leadership policies. During his talk about the prospects for future cooperation, Bondi pointed out that the technological field is a prominent priority, stressing that the pace of global developments requires joint work to invest in Bahraini capabilities in innovation, and that the “Bahrain Team” will remain a close partner for the United States to ensure that the benefits of this relationship will reach the largest possible number of citizens in the two countries.
The American ambassador concluded his words by expressing his deep gratitude to His Majesty the great king, the government, and the Bahraini people for the welcome and hospitality, expressing his confidence that the Bahraini -American relations will continue to prosper, considering that this is the most beautiful legacy that he leaves behind while leaving his position at the end of next September.
Bondi is one of the experienced diplomats, as he previously worked in Bahrain as a political and economic advisor between 2004 and 2007, before he held high positions in Abu Dhabi and Kabul, to return to the Kingdom as an ambassador and lead a new stage of bilateral relations.
