"So Bahrain will maintain its constructive role in bringing peace to the whole region."
Dr Al Baharna refused to comment on the last minute boycott of the high-profile conference by Iran, but said that Bahrain would continue to have strong relations with its neighbour.
"I think Bahrain has a very good relationship with Iran," he told the GDN on the sidelines of IISS Manama Dialogue.
By MARK SUMMERS
BAHRAIN does not have to perform a precarious diplomatic balancing act in order to retain close ties with both the US and Iran, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Nazar Al Baharna said yesterday.
"It's not a matter of balance - I think Bahrain has been a country which has contributed to the stability of the region and the stability of other countries in different dialogues - whether it is on Iraq, or in solving the issues of the Palestinian people," he said.
"So Bahrain will maintain its constructive role in bringing peace to the whole region."
Dr Al Baharna refused to comment on the last minute boycott of the high-profile conference by Iran, but said that Bahrain would continue to have strong relations with its neighbour.
"I think Bahrain has a very good relationship with Iran," he told the GDN on the sidelines of IISS Manama Dialogue.
"Iran is a neighbour for Bahrain and Iran will be a neighbour of Bahrain forever. So I think this good relationship is important and will continue that way. The relationship will help the objectives of the two countries."
The remarks echoed his sentiments on Bahrain's relationship with the US.
"I think we are an ally and friend of the US and that will continue, Bahrain has kept that relationship for a long time and I think it will continue long into the future," said Dr Al Baharna.
He praised US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates' opening speech to the conference.
"I think it was very informative about the various situations in the region - it of course covered the situation in Iraq, the relationship between the US and Iran, the effect of Iran on the region and of course the security of the whole Gulf," said the minister.
"It was very informative but also very clear and open and the discussion covered all the issues, from Israel's nuclear weapons to Iraq."
