EU Seeks Closer Ties with Bahrain

The European Union and Bahrain have formally launched negotiations on a new strategic partnership agreement aimed at strengthening political, economic and security cooperation.

The talks were opened by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica and Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.

The negotiations build on commitments made at the 2024 EU-Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Brussels, where both sides agreed to deepen cooperation on regional security, trade and investment.

Kallas said closer cooperation is particularly important amid growing instability in the Middle East. She said the proposed agreement would provide a framework for more regular dialogue on shared security challenges, political cooperation and economic ties.

Šuica said the partnership would help strengthen economic resilience, encourage innovation and support prosperity on both sides, while also contributing to peace and stability across the wider Middle East.

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