Develop and implement defensive and deterrent responses in the face of any external aggression
Meet immediately at the highest levels in the event of external aggression or the threat thereof
Further strengthening defense and security cooperation and strengthening their military and defense capabilities
The agreement signed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Anthony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States of America, affirmed the security integration and prosperity between the two friendly countries, considering that any external aggression or threat of external aggression is against the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of any of the parties. Be a matter of serious concern to other parties.
The agreement required the parties, in accordance with their constitutions and laws, to meet immediately at the highest levels in the event of external aggression or threat of external aggression against one party, indicating the need to identify additional defense needs. and in developing and implementing appropriate defensive and deterrent responses as agreed by the parties, including in the economic, military and political areas.
The agreement, which Al-Ayyam reviewed, stipulated that the parties stand ready to immediately exchange available and appropriate information and intelligence in response to such an event.
The following is the text of the agreement:
Comprehensive Agreement on Security Integration and Prosperity
the introduction
Parties to this agreement:
Emphasizing the need to build a comprehensive framework for regional security integration in the Middle East to deter and respond to external threats;
Recognizing that this agreement supports, but is separate from, the goals of the Statement of the Abrahamic Accords signed on September 15, 2020, the Negev Forum, which was held for the first time in March 2022, and other recent regional integration efforts, which have established new regional ties and deepened the extent of cooperation between countries in the Middle East;
Recognizing the parties’ desire to expand their defense and security cooperation; trade and investment links; cooperation in science and technology;
Building on the decades-long security partnership between the United States and Bahraini military forces;
Looking forward to enhancing broader regional security integration, supporting mutual deterrence against external threats, and expanding cooperation in the fields of trade, science and technology with like-minded countries in the Middle East region, with the expectation that in the future additional parties will welcome this agreement to enhance those goals;
They agreed to the following:
Article 1: Principles of Cooperation
This Agreement is based on the following principles and beliefs shared by the Parties:
1. Cooperation between the parties is based on the principles of full respect for the independence and sovereignty of each party and full respect for the parties’ obligations within international law and the goals and principles of the United Nations Charter.
2. Cooperation between the parties aims to enhance regional security, stability and prosperity for the Middle East by enhancing deterrence, integration and defense compatibility.
Article 2: Defense and security cooperation
The parties’ cooperation in the areas of defense and security depends on their shared commitment to stability and peace in the Middle East region.
It is the policy of the parties to work together to help deter and confront any external aggression against the territorial integrity of any of the parties.
Any external aggression or threat of external aggression against the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of any of the parties shall be a matter of grave concern to the other parties. In the event of external aggression or threat of external aggression against one party, the parties must, in accordance with their constitutions and laws, meet immediately at the highest levels in order to identify additional defense requirements; and in developing and implementing appropriate defensive and deterrent responses as agreed by the parties, including in the economic, military and/or political areas. The Parties stand ready to share immediately available and appropriate information and intelligence in response to such an event.
In order to enhance the security and stability of the Parties in the Middle East, and to further deter risks against them, the Parties agree to:
1. Continue implementing existing security agreements and arrangements.
2. With the aim of working to enhance the integration of defense systems and deterrence capabilities of the parties, specifically in the air and sea domain, there is an ongoing meeting on ways to further integrate air and missile defense capabilities, special forces operations, intelligence capabilities, cybersecurity, strategic communications, and common awareness of emerging threats.
3. To further enhance defense and security cooperation so as to continue to strengthen their military and defense capabilities and to improve interoperability, which may include:
a. Military training and education programs;
B. Providing defense materials and services;
C. Joint military maneuvers and exercises;
Dr.. Continue joint planning to counter threats to the parties, including their guidelines, rules of engagement, and command and control, as appropriate;
e. Any other cooperation that may be agreed upon between the parties.
4. Coordinate on a regular basis – at least semi-annually – in military and defense affairs. This coordination must focus on joint efforts to deter and counter external hostile threats against one or more parties.
5. The Parties must also convene a Defense Working Group that meets annually and is hosted by one of the Parties. The Defense Working Group shall be the primary forum for reviewing implementation of this article.
Each party reaffirms its obligations to abide by its duties under international law, including the law of armed conflict.
Article 3: Economic and commercial cooperation and trade exchange
With reference to existing trade and investment agreements between the Parties, the Parties agree to cooperate to:
1. Deepening and strengthening the economic partnership between them to develop economic integration between the parties and in the region.
2. Identifying beneficial strategic investment opportunities for more than one party, developing projects that enhance bilateral and multilateral economic and trade cooperation, such as areas of supply chain flexibility and infrastructure, and supporting economic development at the global level.
Article 4: Science, technology and network security
Recognizing that long-term stability and prosperity in the Middle East region can be developed through the development of scientific and technological cooperation between the Parties, including through the development and deployment of reliable technology that supports the national security of the Parties, the Parties agree to cooperate to:
1. Encouraging scientific and technical cooperation between the parties by negotiating appropriate arrangements for this cooperation. Such cooperation must be subject to an agreement between the parties, compatible with existing international agreements for scientific and technical cooperation, which may include:
a. Partnerships and collaborations that promote and exchange innovative ideas, information and skills;
B. Strengthening scientific and technological capacities, including by encouraging broader and cross-cutting relationships between the parties’ vast scientific and technological communities;
C. Striving to encourage scientific and technological exchanges;
Dr.. Any other cooperation within the scientific and technical fields that may be jointly agreed upon between the parties.
2. In the event of agreement between the parties, relevant standards, guidelines and best practices will be developed and exchanged with the aim of each party securing its networks, communications systems, software and devices to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information on any party’s networks that may disrupt the infrastructure or direct data maliciously. .
3. Develop and enhance the digital infrastructure and ICT supply chain to be more secure, flexible, diversified, competitive, transparent and sustainable, specifically in global communications.
Article 5: Disputes and Enforcement
1. The Parties may enter into additional agreements or arrangements as needed and appropriate to implement this Agreement.
2. Any difference of views or dispute regarding the interpretation or application of this Agreement shall be resolved through consultations between the parties and shall not be referred to any national or international court, arbitration or similar body, or any third party for settlement.
3. All cooperation and activities under this Agreement shall be in accordance with the local laws of the Parties and subject to the availability of financial resources.
4. This agreement aims to enhance other agreements and arrangements existing between the parties. The parties shall implement this Agreement in a manner consistent with those agreements, taking into account other arrangements.
Article 6: Amendment
This Agreement may be modified by mutual written agreement between the parties.
Article 7: Signature and entry into force
1. This Agreement is open for signature by the United States of America and the Kingdom of Bahrain (“Signatory States”).
2. This Agreement shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the date of the last notification by which the signatory states inform each other that they have completed all procedures necessary for the entry into force of this agreement. Upon its entry into force, the signatory states shall be parties to this agreement.
Article 8: Additional Parties to this Agreement
1. The parties may, by unanimous agreement, invite any other country to join this agreement if that country is able to develop the objectives of this agreement and thus contribute to security integration and prosperity in the Middle East.
2. This Agreement shall enter into force for such State after it submits written notification to each Party through diplomatic channels that it has completed all necessary procedures to become a party to this Agreement.
3. The date on which this Agreement enters into force for that State, on which that State becomes a party to this Agreement, shall be thirty days after the date of the last such notification.
Article 9: Withdrawal
1. After five years have passed since the implementation of this agreement, any party may withdraw by submitting written notification of its intention to withdraw to each party through diplomatic channels, and withdrawal will enter into force six months after the last notification.
2. In this regard, even if the parties withdraw from this agreement, any executive agreement or executive arrangement entered into by that party in accordance with the provisions of this agreement will remain in effect according to its provisions, unless otherwise stipulated in the provisions of the executive agreement or specific executive arrangement.
Signed in Washington, on September 13, 2023, in two original copies in English and Arabic. In the event of a difference or ambiguity between the text of the two languages, the English text shall prevail.
Develop and implement defensive and deterrent responses in the face of any external aggression. Immediately meet at the highest levels in the event of external aggression or the threat of it. Increase the strengthening of learning… To read the full article, download the Al-Ayyam program for free, free of ads, or visit the website alayam.com
