MANAMA — Bahrain yesterday called for more global focus on Gulf security because of its influence on international peace.
It also stressed the continuation of positive negotiations in the region to build security order, and among other goals to aim for a nuclear weapon free zone. The kingdom affirmed its readiness and commitment and that of its neighbours to this cause.
The Bahraini Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Khaled bin Ahmad bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, while addressing the three-day Manama Dialogue which opened yesterday, said that the days where Gulf security could be considered as simply a regional issue were long gone. “Today, everyone recognises the security situation in the Gulf has far-reaching global implications — in particular given the current and anticipated political, economic, social and strategic trends.”
Organised by the UK-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the Manama Dialogue is being held for the fourth year in Bahrain and will continue to be held here annually until 2011 according to an agreement between the government of Bahrain and IISS.
The minister said that addressing this challenge successfully requires a multi-faceted set of policies and close coordination between regional leaders and their people in conjunction with the international community that shares the commitment to democracy, peace and stability.
He reiterated Iran's full sovereign right to use nuclear power for peaceful purposes, yet said it was indispensable for Iran to actively cooperate with the IAEA within a transparent framework.
Although the last minute decision of Iran to boycott the conference puzzled the high profile delegations from 22 countries but it didn’t affect the smoothness of the deliberations.
The side talks at the conference attributed the boycott decision to Iranian suspicions over the missions of IISS and the participation of US delegation headed by Defence Secretary Roberts Gate in the event.
Local newspaper claimed that the boycott came because of the government’s rejection to give licence for a private Iranian hospital, while Iran participated in the last three conferences held in Bahrain.
Manama Dialogue is considered a platform where security, defence and foreign affairs ministers and officials exchange views on pressing security challenges in the region during plenary sessions and private break-out group meetings. It discussed topics such as the US and the balance of regional powers, Iraq, Gulf security, economic development, energy and others
