By NNN-KUNA
Manama : US President George W. Bush is due in Bahrain on Saturday on a visit that observers believe will usher a new era of bilateral relations that date back to 115 years before when the first US missionary arrived in the Gulf country.
The visit is viewed as a clear signal of the growing strategic ties between the two countries.
The Royal Diwan referred to the stressed that the “historical” visit would help a lot boost bilateral relations. By the same token, the last meeting of the Cabinet last week welcomed the visit as a new bridge for fostering ties.
In addition, Bush’s visit to Bahrain as part of his Middle East tour, also underlines Manama’s international status and how the Americans are interested in the high level the country had achieved in fields like democracy, reforms and women’s employment, especially under King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa.
Developments in the Middle East will feature high on the agenda of the talks the US President will hold with the Bahraini leadership, in light of the country’s participation in the US-sponsored Annapolis conference on peace in the region held in November.
Other topics to be addressed during the one day visit will also cover conditions in the Gulf region.
At the economic level, Bahrain was among the first states that concluded a free trade agreement with Washington, which constituted a “quantum leap” in bilateral trade and economic ties.
The relations between the US and Bahrain are also viewed as one of the pillars of the security and stability in the Gulf. Bilateral cooperation for combating terror opened more doors for stronger ties for countering the roots of violence and tension so as to realize stability in the region.
Leaderships in both countries are so keen on enhancing bilateral ties at the time when joint action is badly needed to face the huge political, economic and security challenges the world of today is exposed to.
On the international arena, the relations between the two countries are based on a host of principles that govern the foreign policy of each. These include the necessity of peaceful coexistence among peoples, boosting cooperation among the world countries and the respect of international legitimacy.
Positive outcome of the US President to Manama is expected to be obvious at the local, regional and international levels.