Bahrain has a ‘very bright and rosy future’ as it continues to be connected with the US through shared interest, security and commitment to peace, a top diplomat declared yesterday.
US Ambassador Steven Bondy, speaking during his farewell media engagement at his Saar residence, highlighted the achievements during his tenure over the past three-and-a-half years, US-Bahrain bilateral relations, comprehensive security arrangements and steps to promote regional security.
“Our relationship has grown deeper, stronger and more dynamic across every sector – security, trade, education, innovation and the enduring people-to-people ties that form its foundation,” he said.
“This progress is best demonstrated by the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), which His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, signed in September 2023 with the then Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
“This landmark agreement has become the cornerstone of our modern partnership, enhancing our shared security and laying the groundwork for closer economic integration.”
One of the key points that C-SIPA will deliver is enhancing deterrence, including through expanded defence and security co-operation, interoperability and mutual intelligence capacity building.
C-SIPA will help formalise steps taken by US Central Command to integrate the region’s air and missile defence systems and increase maritime domain awareness.
The US and Bahrain signed C-SIPA on September 13, 2023, with the intention of welcoming additional parties in the future.
The UK’s accession as the third party to C-SIPA took effect on June 19 this year.
“This year, the agreement expanded to include the UK, setting the stage for even more robust collaboration to advance regional security and prosperity,” said Mr Bondy.
The diplomat, who will remain in the country until the end of next month, said the relationship between the two nations received additional push following HRH Prince Salman’s visit to Washington last month.
He said the visit produced significant trade deals, investments and landmark announcements – such as Gulf Air’s new direct flight to New York – “that will strengthen commercial links and bring our people even closer together”.
HRH Prince Salman, during his meeting with US President Donald Trump last month, underscored the historic and strategic relationship between the kingdom and the US, which spans more than 130 years.
In addition, HRH Prince Salman also affirmed a $17 billion investment package, spanning multiple sectors.
“We have also opened exciting new chapters in science and technology co-operation, most notably in space exploration.
“Bahrain’s successful launch of (domestically built) Al Munther satellite (in March this year) aboard a US SpaceX rocket symbolises our shared commitment to pushing boundaries and exploring the final frontier together.
“We are now looking to see how to use space technology in the commercial and technological realm.”
The ambassador also praised Bahrain’s ‘extraordinary experience’, warm hospitality, tradition and even shared his fond memories of walking the Pearling Path in Muharraq.
The diplomat had previously served at the embassy in Bahrain as the political/economic counsellor in 2004-2007. He served as the assistant chief of mission in Kabul, Afghanistan and as the foreign policy adviser to the commander of the Joint Special Operations Command.
He was charge d’affaires and deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi between 2017 and 2020.
“I want to communicate here that Bahrain has a very bright future,” said Mr Bondy.
“What I see in the young people of this country is well educated individuals who want to work hard; they are ambitious and dynamic,” he said citing the example of the six Bahrainis who will go to study in the US as part of the Crown Prince’s International Scholarship Programme (CPISP).
“I am inspired by their ambition and vision for Bahrain’s future.
“In their programmes and studies in the US, they will build relationships that will carry our partnership forward among a new generation.”
He described Bahrain as “a small country and in some ways that actually makes it more nimble and more dynamic”.
“As I look ahead, I actually see a very rosy future; in particular, as American businesses, educators, medical doctors and a whole range of others are engaging directly with their Bahraini counterparts.
“Our nations are more connected than ever before – bound by shared interests and values, mutual respect and a commitment to building a more peaceful and prosperous future.”
When asked by the GDN about his assessment of the relations between the two countries amidst the ongoing Gaza conflict, threats from Iranian proxies and China’s growing influence in the Middle East, Mr Bondy said, “There is never a time in world history when every part of the world wasn’t undergoing difficulties.”
He said it was vital to look at the above situations as opportunities now.
“Why do I say that?
“Because I believe the US government and the government of Bahrain, to a great extent, have the same objectives in mind.
“It’s peace, stability and prosperity.
“The work that we do together in addressing regional challenges, I think, builds our relationship and builds our co-operation and collaboration.”
The envoy also mentioned the Abraham Accords that Bahrain, the UAE and Israel signed in 2020 during President Trump’s first term in office.
“Now clearly, ever since October 7, 2023 our ability to advance aspects of the Abraham Accords has been made much more difficult, but our objective – of myself and my colleagues at the embassy – is to keep those relations solid and warm.
“So that one day, and hopefully it’s soon when the fighting is stopped and peace can reign again in Gaza, that the US can play a very active role in bringing together two of our best friends in the region, the kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Israel,” said Mr Bondy.
The envoy also touched upon both countries working closely on artificial intelligence (AI) applications and renewable energy.
“Bahrain has a lot of advantages and if it plays its cards well, there will be great success.
“And I also firmly believe the leadership of this country has wisdom and is pursuing policies to do everything possible to deliver maximum benefit to all of the people of Bahrain.”
sandy@gdnmedia.bh
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