His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, stressed 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, based on peaceful coexistence between diverse religions, cultures and beliefs.
He said that the Kingdom of 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.
This came in the 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 Foreign Minister said that security at its core means protecting a country’s territory, safeguarding 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 the Kingdom of 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.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs 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 added 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.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs said that 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, and this agreement embodies a simple and enduring truth 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.
In this context, 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 the Kingdom 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 added that we in the Kingdom of 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 His Excellency President Donald Trump, with the support of regional mediators, noting 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.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs 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, noting 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 pointed out that security and prosperity in the Gulf and the Middle East will remain unattainable goals unless the Palestinian people achieve their legitimate right to establish their independent, sovereign state, living in peace and security alongside Israel.
He said that 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.
