PEACE in the Middle East hinges on a strong Gulf region, with broad international political, trade and social relations, says a leading UK government official.
Bahrain and its global outlook is a cornerstone of that strength, said Foreign and Commonwealth Minister of State, with responsibility for the Middle East, Afghanistan and South Asia Dr Kim Howells.
The stronger the Gulf region, in terms of long-term stability and prosperity, the greater the chances of achieving lasting peace and security throughout the Middle East," he told a Bahrain Society meeting in London.
"We are living in an age of unprecedented change. Technical and scientific advances are opening up the world, widening opportunities to connect at political, economic and social levels across the globe," said Dr Howells.
"There are many, in both our countries, I'm sure, who fear that an increasingly connected global world will lead inexorably towards sameness in cultures, where only the strong will survive.
"There are fears that the increasing intermix of cultures, races and faiths is creating a confusion of cultural identity which is being exploited by political and religious extremists.
"What is certain is that ignorance of respective cultures and the vulnerability, particularly of young people, to extreme ideologies, are major challenges in our societies today.
"I believe that we can tackle these issues successfully only by broadening and deepening partnerships across countries, across continents, across cultures."
Bahrain has been acutely aware of the economic and cultural challenges of a small nation dependent for its stability and prosperity on building strong links with its neighbours and international partners, he said.
"Like Britain, Bahrain has long been an open society welcoming people from around the world to contribute skills and knowledge to a growing economy," said Dr Howells.
"Today Bahrain is booming. It is a leader in so many respects in a region that is witnessing dramatic transformation.
"The past few years have seen unprecedented political reform under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad, with a new constitution, an elected parliament, the vote for women and strengthened safeguards for individual freedoms and equality."
He said Bahrain had achieved a "remarkable number" of political firsts, leading the region in political development.
The first woman since 1969, Shaikha Haya bint Rashid Al Khalifa, and the first ever Arab woman to be elected President of the United Naitons General Assembly,
"I'm delighted that through our Global Opportunities Fund, the UK has been able to help with setting up a youth parliament, providing training for parliamentary staff, supporting the continuing advance of women in public life and helping design and deliver a new social security system," said Dr Howells.
"The UK and Bahrain have long enjoyed a strong and very special partnership."
He said that partnership had intensified in the past year and that it was hoped to see more input of British expertise into Bahrain's development.
"There are major opportunities for the UK to offer design, management and technical expertise, particularly in the construction sector, where projects in Manama alone are worth some $4 billion (BD1.5bn)," said Dr Howells.
"I hope that many British companies will be involved in some of the key projects including the Bahrain Financial Harbour, the expansion of the international airport, the Durrat Al Bahrain project and the King Hamad General Hospital.
"We hope too to offer our expertise in financial services and to work with Bahrain as it continues to pioneer the regulation of Islamic financial institutions and the development of Islamic financial products.
"It is not surprising - and indeed very welcome - that it should be a Bahraini banker who founds the first Islamic Bank of the UK."
Britain is working closely with Bahrain in many fields, including fighting terrorism and crime, he said.
"We are strengthening our partnership in defence and security co-operation and counter terrorism, said Dr Howells.
"The Memorandum of Understanding signed last year commits us to closer co-operation on building up civil policing, fighting cross-border crime and tackling illegal immigration.
"A direct result, so far, has been the introduction this year of uniformed community liaison officers working with the Bahraini police to help strengthen relations with local communities.
"We are providing police training here in the UK and working together on disaster management, including emergency response strategies.
"We have also provided equipment and training to help prevent arms and explosives being smuggled into Bahrain.
"Mercifully there have been no terrorist attacks in Bahrain and, be assured, we will continue to work closely with Bahrain and its Gulf partners to help ensure that remains the case."
Close co-operation is critical to the region's security and future prosperity, he said.
"Bahrain is already taking a leading role in helping to build consensus for reform and greater regional co-operation on security issues through the Arab League and GCC," said Dr Howells.
Bahrain is again hosting the International Institute for Strategic Studies' Gulf Dialogue on regional security.
"It demonstrated its firm commitment to the G8 programme under the Broader Middle East and North Africa initiative, by pledging a $1 million (BD378,000) to the foundation and fund for the future.
Dr Howells praised Bahrain for forging ahead with democratic reform.
"Building democracy is a long process. The challenge for every society is how to maintain stability and order while giving people the freedom and opportunity to take the choices they want about their own lives," he said.
"Bahrain has taken bold steps to increase political representation, to strengthen the independence of the legislature and increase accountability.
"Of course, much more remains to be done.
We will continue to support bilateral initiatives, such as the seminar taking place in London next spring on political reform in Bahrain and Qatar, as well as work underway within the G8 and the European Union."
The Bahrain Society is headquartered in London and was formed in 1971 to foster links between the British and Bahraini communities.
Its current chairman is former Bahrain resident Michael Rice.
