Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti met with His Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, on June 4.
Franchetti thanked the Crown Prince for the unalterable defense relationship between the United States and Bahrain and expressed his appreciation for the continued hospitality Bahrain has shown in hosting the U.S. Navy.
The Navy commander also highlighted Bahrain’s leadership in regional security and stability, and thanked the crown prince for Bahrain being one of America’s longest-standing and closest partners in the Middle East and a key non-NATO ally, and for participating in Operation Guardian of Prosperity.
During the discussion, Franchetti praised the Comprehensive Security, Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA) signed last year. The agreement formalizes U.S.-Bahrain cooperation to deter regional conflict, enhance regional stability and reduce tensions. Franchetti added that C-SIPA is an important upgrade of the strategic bilateral relationship with Bahrain. Currently, C-SIPA is a bilateral agreement between the U.S. and Bahrain, but both leaders said they welcome other friendly nations to join because the more integrated and coordinated we are, the more secure, stable and prosperous the region will be.
This will be Franchetti’s first time meeting the crown prince.
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