Minister of State for Defence in Bahrain for Gulf security talks
SINGAPORE: Minister of State for Defence Dr Maliki Osman has highlighted the importance of strategic dialogue and practical cooperation amongst militaries, to address challenges posed by transnational security threats, such as terrorism and maritime security threats.
Dr Maliki was on Sunday (Dec 7) at the 10th Manama Dialogue in Bahrain where he spoke on regional military cooperation.
The dialogue, organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, discusses regional security challenges in the Gulf. It also serves as a platform for national security establishments of participating states to discuss regional security challenges.
A Defence Ministry statement said Singapore has been attending the Manama Dialogue since its inception in 2004.
Countries represented at this year’s Manama Dialogue include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and Yemen, as well as extra-regional countries such as Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States.
While in Bahrain, Dr Maliki also called on its leaders King Shaikh Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince Shaikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Minister of State for Defence Affairs Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammad Abdulla Al Khalifa as well as other delegation leaders.
Dr Maliki also expressed Singapore’s appreciation to Bahrain for supporting the Singapore Armed Forces’ deployment to the Gulf of Aden. Dr Maliki also met British Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon, on the sidelines of the Manama Dialogue.
