bahrain

(ii) The extent to which the FCO’s Gulf Initiative has met its objectives
of improving relations with the Gulf States more generally and
establishing the UK as a “key strategic partner” in the region as a
whole:
Given the history of close relations that have existed between the UK and
Bahrain and the Gulf States in particular (possibly less so with Saudi Arabia),
the Government of the UK is better placed (possibly more so than some of the
regions’ other ‘friends and allies’) to understand the pace and manner in
which the Governments of the region are reacting and will continue to react to
the macro social and political changes that have taken place, and will
continue to take place in the region at large. This understanding by the FCO
will play an important role in ensuring that the UK remains a key strategic
partner in the region.
(iii) Saudi Arabia and Bahrain as foreign policy partners for the UK,
particularly with regard to Iran and Syria and as members of
international and regional organisations:
Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States (Bahrain in particular), have always been
supportive foreign policy partners for the UK, with significant differences
only in the area of a how a comprehensive Middle East peace treaty might be
achieved. As far as Syria and Iran are concerned, there is no doubt that the
Governments of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain share the view of the UK
Government that Iran poses a considerable threat to the stability of the region,
even in the absence of any perceived threats that may occur as a result of Iran
joining the ‘nuclear club’. Iran is also the only country in the region that
continues to support the regime of Bashar Al-Assad in Syria. And whilst the
UK has been more ‘aggressive’ recently in its support for the opponents of the
Al-Assad regime, it has in fact been the Governments of Saudi Arabia and the
Gulf States (Qatar in particular) that have led the way in condemning the Al-
Assad regime and openly supporting groups that oppose the regime.
In 1998, Bahrain was the first Gulf State to be elected as a non-permanent
member of the UN Security Council. In fact, Bahrain, since it joined the UN,
has always been an active member of the UN, and in June 2006, partly in
recognition of its active role, HE Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, was elected
President of the 61 st session of the General Assembly of the UN. Bahrain is
also an active member of the IMF, the World Bank and the World Trade
Organisation (WTO), and was the first Gulf State to sign a Free Trade
Agreement with the United States.
Saudi Arabia is a member of the UN, the IMF and the World Bank and has
‘Observer Status’ at the OAS (Organisation of American States). Saudi Arabia
has thus far however, tended to play a much more active role in ensuring the
security and stability in the region and promoting cooperative relations with
the other oil-producing countries through its active role within OPEC where it
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