Washington,
(BNA): The White House issued a readout regarding phone calls between His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister with US Vice President Kamala Harris.
According to the readout, the Vice President expressed regret that she was unable to travel to Bahrain due to the historic wildfires in Los Angeles. She thanked His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for their partnership throughout the term of His Excellency President Joe Biden in strengthening the U.S.-Bahrain relationship and reaffirmed the close and enduring bilateral relationship between the United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Vice President Harris expressed pride in the 2023 signing of the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), a key accomplishment of the Biden-Harris Administration in the Middle East, which she and the Crown Prince advanced in their March 2022 meeting, the readout said. It indicated that C-SIPA enhances U.S.-Bahrain cooperation on defense, trade, science, and emerging technology.
The Vice President expressed support for strengthening C-SIPA. She noted the United Kingdom’s recent decision to join C-SIPA, demonstrating it can be a model for further regional integration.
The Vice President also expressed her appreciation for Bahrain’s security partnership, including its hosting of the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, and reaffirmed the importance of the United States working with its regional partners to support regional stability and maritime security.
The Vice President discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and underscored her commitment to continuing efforts toward a future of peace, dignity, and security for all people in the region, and a future with increased integration, connectivity, and prosperity, the readout added.
The Vice President commended His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister on the steps taken to promote interfaith tolerance in Bahrain.
