Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata released the following statement welcoming the US-Bahrain C-SIPA Signing:

“On September 13, 2023, the United States of America and the Kingdom of Bahrain signed the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA) to enhance economic, cybersecurity, and trade collaboration between the two nations and to strengthen the important regional alliance in the Arabian Gulf.

“Prime Minister Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, on behalf of the King of Bahrain, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the text of the joint agreement at the State Department last week.

“Secretary Blinken stated that ‘At the heart of the agreement is a shared goal: working together to build a region that is more secure, that’s more prosperous, and that’s more connected to the world economy.’

“As a Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Chair of the Natural Resources Committee’s Indo-Pacific Task Force charged with review and renewal of the Compacts of Free Association, I couldn’t agree more with Secretary Blinken.  I have been privileged to twice visit the Kingdom of Bahrain and visit with our troops there in the Navy’s 5th Fleet, where many of my Samoan constituents have served proudly and been welcomed warmly by the Bahraini people. Whether it’s the Middle East or the Indo-Pacific we need strong partners and leaders in those regions and we certainly have it with our friends in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

“This is not a partisan issue for the United States as our continued and growing US-Bahraini friendship is bi-partisan and President Biden is successfully building on the foundation President Trump laid during his Administration with the signing of the historic Abraham Accords. It is only fitting the next building block in our joint alignment come on this important anniversary when his Majesty King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman al-Khalifa and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opened an era of friendship and cooperation in pursuit of a Middle East region that is stable, secure and prosperous for the benefit of all peoples in the region no matter what party is in the White House.  I commend all principles for these past and continued successes for our mutual peace and security.”