Manama, June4(BNA)Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa today received Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa, Hugh Robertson. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa, Minister of State for Interior Affairs Major-General Adel bin Khalifa Al Fadhel and Public Security Chief Major-General Tariq Hassan Al-Hassan.

Lt-Gen Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa welcomed the British minister’s visit which is on the sidelines of the Bahrain-UK Committee’s meetings to enhance cooperation and coordination between the two friendly countries.

He paid tribute to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa for envisioning Bahrain’s democratic, political and legislative strides. “Bahrain is a democratic and reform-minded country that respects human rights and protects liberties in line with the Arab and Islamic identity, culture and traditions”, he said, stressing commitment to the international conventions, principles and treaties.

He updated the British Minister on the security situation in Bahrain and outlined the strategy adopted by the ministry to develop training programmes, optimise the use of high-tech technological equipment and keep abreast of outstanding practices in advanced countries. The two sides discussed bilateral relations and security cooperation, stressing the importance of continuing joint coordination and exchanging expertise between the two friendly countries.

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BNA 1709 GMT 2014/06/04