LONDON: Bahrain’s national security advisor, Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, met Adm. Tony Radakin, the UK’s chief of defense staff in London on Wednesday.

They discussed ways in which military cooperation between their countries might be enhanced, and the importance of long-term defense partnerships in efforts to ensure regional security and stability, the Bahrain News Agency reported.

Sheikh Nasser highlighted the existing strong ties between Bahrain and the UK, especially in terms of defense and military cooperation. He and Radakin addressed regional security challenges, focusing in particular on counterterrorism cooperation and maritime security in the Arabian Gulf region, and the need for joint military exercises and the coordination of multinational operations.

They also discussed the enhancement of Gulf security through maritime and air alliances, and aerial defense collaboration, the news agency added.