FTA ’will open new era of ties’
Gulf Daily News, Bahrain
FTA ’will open new era of ties’
By Tariq Khonji
5 July 2006
MANAMA. US-Bahrain relations will enter a new era when the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) comes into force in the coming weeks, said US Ambassador William T Monroe yesterday.
"We are confident that this will give a big boost to the commercial side of our relationship, as we continue to strengthen and broaden our bilateral ties," he said.
Mr Monroe was speaking at a reception he hosted to mark his country’s 230th Independence Day at the Sheraton.
"I am delighted to be celebrating the 4th of July again this year in Bahrain, a country with which we have had a long and friendly relationship for so many years.
"In fact, the relationship began more than 100 years ago as a people-to-people relationship when Americans came here to establish the American Mission Hospital, which still continues its great work here today.
"Some 50 years ago, after Second World War, our relationship entered a new stage when the US Navy came to Bahrain and established a security relationship that remains so strong today.
"It was only in the 1970s, when Bahrain became an independent nation, that we established formal diplomatic relations and sent our first Ambassador to Bahrain."
Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa delegated Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa to attend the reception. The Foreign Minister conveyed the best wishes of the Premier to the American administration and people and hoped to further develop bilateral relations.
It was also attended by members of the diplomatic corps, embassy officials, businessmen, government officials and other guests.
"The 4th of July is always a very special holiday for Americans, whether we celebrate it in the US with fireworks and barbecues, or overseas with gatherings such as this one," said Mr Monroe.
"It is a time when a nation established by people of different language, ethnicities and religions celebrates the democratic principles that were the basis of our Declaration of Independence back in 1776, and the source of our continuing strength 230 years later."
