MANAMA: A top British official yesterday underlined UK’s support for Bahrain’s reform programme and the importance of improving human rights.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa Hugh Robertson attended the third meeting of the UK-Bahrain Joint Working Group and also met Bahrain’s leadership.

“It was a pleasure to make my first visit to Bahrain as minister for the Middle East,” he said in a statement.

“I was struck by the warmth of the long-standing friendship between our two countries.

“During a productive meeting of the Joint Working Group, we agreed that the UK would continue to provide support to Bahrain’s reform programme, with particular focus on strengthening human rights and the rule of law – where there is still much to be done.

“I was pleased to see that UK expertise is helping to make a real difference, particularly on the creation of a Police Ombudsman and a new Independent Prisoners and Detainees Commission.”

The UK-Bahrain Joint Working Group, set up in March 2013, is a forum for discussing issues of mutual interest across the bilateral relationship, including regional and trade issues, with a focus on reform and human rights.