Hassan Al-Sitri – Photography: Suhail Wazir
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani said that security and prosperity in the Gulf and the Middle East will remain unattainable goals unless the Palestinian people obtain their legitimate right to establish their independent, sovereign state, living in peace and security alongside Israel.
This came in the second dialogue session held under the title “Securing the Gulf: Diplomacy, Economy and Defense,” within the twenty-first session of the Manama Dialogue Conference, which is held under the title “Regional Power and Statecraft in Light of Global Changes,” organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Minister pointed out that true security is multidimensional, requires sincere and sustainable cooperation between countries, and must be built on a vision consistent with the aspirations of the peoples of the region and based on peaceful coexistence among diverse religions, cultures and beliefs.
He pointed out that Bahrain firmly believes that the best way to resolve conflicts is mutual understanding and dialogue, by creating an environment in which societies unite to face common challenges, explaining that education and cultural exchange are essential elements for promoting tolerance, establishing trust, and ensuring the contribution of every voice in shaping the desired common future.
Al-Zayani added that security, in essence, means protecting the state’s territory, preserving the safety of citizens and infrastructure, and maintaining global interconnectedness – through freedom of navigation, cybersecurity, and the unhindered flow of trade and information.
He expressed Bahrain’s conviction that sustainable security depends on sincere cooperation with regional and international partners, and its pride in defense partnerships with brothers in the Gulf Cooperation Council and international partners, through alliances to combat terrorism and piracy, enhance maritime security, and build capabilities.
He praised Bahrain’s hosting of the joint maritime coalition forces, consisting of 47 countries working to secure vital sea lanes in the Arabian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, noting the recent establishment of the Cybersecurity Council of Ministers in the League of Arab States, which reflects the proactive approach in confronting emerging threats.
He pointed out that this cooperation is also strengthened by agreements such as the “Gulf Cooperation Council Joint Defense Agreement,” which stipulates that “an attack on any country is an attack on all countries,” which makes our cooperation the cornerstone of regional stability, stressing that true security cannot be achieved by one country alone.
Al-Zayani said: “Economic development and regional integration are essential elements for achieving true security,” noting that a fragmented region suffering from economic instability and whose people lack hope cannot be completely secure, but by strengthening economic interconnection, direct benefits can be achieved for citizens, consolidating trust and cooperation, and reducing the possibility of conflicts.
He added that within the framework of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the GCC countries are moving forward towards completing the customs union and establishing the Gulf common market, which consolidates the concept of full Gulf citizenship, in addition to deepening global trade and investment relations, including concluding free trade agreements with international partners.
He pointed out that the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), signed between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America, which was later joined by the United Kingdom, is a practical example of the interconnection between prosperity and security. This agreement embodies a simple and permanent truth, which is that our common security is inseparable from our common prosperity, expressing the hope that more partners who share our vision of a cooperative system based on solid principles in the Gulf region will join this framework.
He stressed the importance of effective diplomacy that respects sovereignty, calls for non-interference, encourages the peaceful settlement of disputes, and nurtures good-neighborly relations, stressing that this is the vision that the leadership of Bahrain has established and will continue to strengthen, and will continue to guide our foreign policy, as we seek to build “alliances for peace” through which we work collectively to achieve a safer and more stable region.
The Foreign Minister said that the core of the chronic instability in the Middle East lies in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, as the absence of a just and lasting solution will continue to undermine all efforts aimed at achieving real security.
He stated that we in Bahrain feel very optimistic about the results of the recent international diplomatic efforts regarding Gaza, represented by the adoption of the “peace plan” presented by US President Donald Trump, with the support of regional mediators, indicating that this plan represents a historic turning point, as the implementation of its first phase has already resulted in a ceasefire, the release of hostages and detainees, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.
Al-Zayani added that this plan could form the basis for a lasting, stable and prosperous peace in Gaza, paving the way towards a more comprehensive regional peace, pointing out the importance of committing to diplomatic efforts to ensure that all parties fulfill their obligations in a comprehensive manner and in good faith, with the support of all countries that aspire to peace in the Middle East.
He said, “These efforts must be coupled with resolving the Iranian nuclear program file by resuming negotiations between the United States and Iran, in a way that meets the concerns of the region, supporting Lebanon in implementing Security Council Resolution No. 1701 and the Taif Agreement, supporting Syria on its path towards stability, supporting the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman to promote peace in Yemen, and supporting the Quartet in its efforts to mediate a peace settlement in Sudan.”
For his part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, His Excellency Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, stressed that comprehensive dialogue and mutual understanding between all parties represent the best way to achieve security and stability in the Gulf and the region, stressing that isolation policies have proven their failure in ensuring permanent security, and that an approach based on openness and inclusion is the one that can build a more stable and prosperous future.
He explained that the Sultanate of Oman believes that constructive engagement with all countries, including Iran, Yemen and Iraq, is necessary to achieve regional security, considering that excluding any active party contributes to fueling tensions and prolonging crises.
He added that history has provided clear evidence that joint economic and security cooperation is the basis for ensuring the security and stability of the region.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman indicated that the Sultanate was and is still calling for the establishment of a comprehensive mechanism for regional dialogue that brings together all countries of the region, with the aim of enhancing mutual trust, supporting efforts to protect maritime navigation, combat smuggling and extremism, and unify efforts to confront common challenges.
He said, “Oman hoped during the current year that constructive regional engagement would constitute an opportunity to enhance security, but some developments, such as the recent Israeli attacks on Iran, hindered these efforts,” adding that Israel, not Iran, is the primary source of insecurity in the region.
He explained that the Sultanate of Oman will continue to support initiatives that enhance diplomatic cooperation and development and peace paths, stressing that Gulf security is inseparable from regional security, and that constructive dialogue is the most effective option for achieving lasting stability that preserves the dignity of peoples and ensures their prosperity.
For his part, Greek Foreign Minister, Georgios Gerapetrits, stressed that Bahrain and the Gulf states are no longer just regional actors, but have become globally influential thanks to their investments in energy and their pivotal role in the stability of the global economy, explaining that Gulf security represents an essential foundation for the flow of trade and energy, and for ensuring the stability of international markets.
The minister added that securing the Gulf means securing human lives, noting that the Gulf countries have become a strategic partner for Europe in the fields of security, energy and development. He expressed his optimism that there is a glimmer of hope in the Middle East after periods of conflict, pointing to the importance of progress on the hostage issues, stopping the bombing, and moving towards a two-state solution as a path to achieving sustainable peace.
Gerapetrits stressed that Greece views itself as a bridge between the Arab world and Europe, and is working to enhance cooperation with the Gulf states in various fields, including maritime security and combating cross-border challenges.
He stated that his country had begun joint initiatives with Saudi Arabia to enhance military cooperation, and others with the UAE to coordinate foreign policies and exchange information.
The minister stressed that the security of the region is the security of Greece, pointing out that his country’s location and its extended coasts make protecting global trade routes a strategic priority, noting that Greece played an active role in the Security Council to protect sea lanes.
He also called for the establishment of new corridors between Europe and the Middle East to enhance economic integration, stressing his country’s support for the Abraham Accords, noting that the Eastern Mediterranean region could be a major hub for regional cooperation.
He also stressed the importance of building new partnerships to confront security and economic challenges, especially cybersecurity and energy, considering that ensuring the security of the region is a global necessity.
For his part, the Special Representative of the European Union in the Gulf region, Luigi Di Maio, said that the upcoming Gulf-European Summit will be an essential milestone for enhancing cooperation between the two sides and achieving tangible results in the fields of security, energy and economics.
He explained that the European Union considers Gulf security to be an integral part of Europe’s security, stressing that the interconnectedness between the two sides makes cooperation indispensable.
He pointed out that supporting initiatives led by countries in the region is a fundamental pillar of European Union policy, especially with regard to regional security issues and relations between the United States and Iran.
He added that the European Union is committed to supporting efforts to build states and stabilize institutions in both Lebanon and Syria, and to work to promote development in the Arab region through sustainable economic and security partnerships.
Di Maio also praised the role of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in international initiatives related to security and energy, and their active participation in global files, including the Ukrainian crisis. He stressed that the European Union seeks to expand defense and economic cooperation programs with the region.
He pointed out that all citizens of the Gulf countries benefit today from facilities for travel visas to Europe for a period of 5 years, as a step that reflects the depth of the growing partnership.
He explained that the next stage requires moving from intentions to practical implementation, saying: “We have only one year to achieve real achievements that are translated into reality and demonstrate the strength of the Gulf-European partnership in building sustainable security and stability.”
