His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain hailed the deep-rooted historic relations and long-standing partnership between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America.

HM praised the strong decades-long bilateral ties which are based on mutual trust, respect and joint coordination, and lauded the steadily-growing relations in all fields, particularly military coordination and defense cooperation. 

This came as he received at Al-Sakhir Palace, in the presence of the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) Commander-in-Chief Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, Commander of the US Central Command (USCENTCOM) General Joseph Votel, marking his visit to Bahrain.

HM the King welcomed the USCENTCOM Commander and hailed the US-led pivotal role in bolstering regional and international security, stability and peace, lauding the efforts of General Votel to strengthen Bahrain-American military and defense cooperation, wishing him success, according to Bahrain News Agency (BNA).

 The USCENTCOM Commander expressed thanks and appreciation to HM the King for receiving him with the accompanying delegation, hailing royal efforts to strengthen joint historic military cooperation. He commended bilateral relations and joint cooperation, hailing Bahrain’s support and important contribution to maintaining regional security and stability and joint coordination between the armies of the two friendly countries. 

He further congratulated HM the King on the success of the recent elections and hailed Bahrain’s achievements, wishing the Kingdom further development and progress, led by HM the King.  

For his part, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, separately met with the Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), General Joseph L. Votel, at Gudaibiya Palace.

During the meeting, HRH the Crown Prince outlined the strength of relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America, which continue to grow across various fields, particularly in defense and military cooperation.

HRH the Crown Prince also highlighted the importance of further advancing strategic bilateral collaboration in order to maintain regional security and stability.

The meeting provided an opportunity to review a number of regional and international issues of common interest.

The Chief-of-Staff of the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF), Lt-General Dhiyab bin Saqr Al-Nuaimi, also attended the meeting.