London: His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, met with the Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, at No. 10 Downing Street as part of an official visit to the United Kingdom.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the meeting underscored the robust Bahrain-UK relations, supported by the continuous cooperation between His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom. The discussions highlighted the ongoing enhancement of ties through strategic partnerships and bilateral agreements across various sectors.
HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad emphasized the significance of improving coordination between Bahrain and the UK to support mutual interests and foster prosperity for both nations. The Crown Prince welcomed the UK's full participation in the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), which was extended by an invitation from Bahrain and the United States.
The meeting also explored expanding bilateral cooperation, addressing mutual interests, as well as regional and international developments. Both leaders discussed efforts toward achieving a GCC-UK Free Trade Agreement.
HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad and the UK Prime Minister expressed their concerns over the escalating situation between Israel and Iran, advocating for urgent de-escalation and dialogue. They called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, humanitarian aid access, and the release of hostages.
The Crown Prince appreciated the UK Prime Minister's remarks on Bahrain's election to the UN Security Council for a non-permanent seat in 2026-27 and agreed on collaborative diplomatic efforts for the Kingdom's candidacy.
The leaders witnessed the signing of key agreements, including a second Strategic Investment and Collaboration Partnership (SIP2) aimed at fostering investment and job creation in both countries, and a new Defence Cooperation Accord to reinforce regional peace and stability. The SIP2 will facilitate a £2bn investment from Bahrain's private sector into the UK.
The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials from both nations, further cementing the commitment to advancing regional and global peace, security, and development.