Britain yesterday said an international defence conference held in Bahrain could further strengthen security in the region.
British Secretary of State for Defence John Reid said the International Institute for Strategic Studies' (IISS) Gulf Dialogue conference was a vital opportunity to develop co-ordination on security issues.
BRITAIN yesterday said an international defence conference held in Bahrain could further strengthen security in the region.
British Secretary of State for Defence John Reid said the International Institute for Strategic Studies' (IISS) Gulf Dialogue conference was a vital opportunity to develop co-ordination on security issues.
He was among the ministers and security officials taking part in the conference, which concluded at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa yesterday.
"I sincerely hope that the momentum from this conference will drive forward the positive work already underway and strengthen security throughout the region," said Mr Reid.
"It is only by building understanding and common ground that solutions can be found to the security challenges facing the Middle East."
Mr Reid commended Bahrain for hosting the conference, which he said was a vital opportunity to develop co-ordination on security issues.
"It has been immensely useful to have met His Majesty King Hamad, Crown Prince and BDF Commander-in-Chief Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Defence Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa," he said.
The three-day event brought together defence, interior and national security officials, as well as scholars and academicians from the GCC, Yemen, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Singapore, France, Russia, the UK and the US.
Joining them for the first time this year were China, India and Germany.
