As a member of the GCC , Bahrain has strong trade and economic relations with its neighbours Saudi Arabia and Qatar who are also fellow members in the GCC. Saudi Arabia is Bahrain 's biggest import partner, with oil making the bulk of Saudi exports to Bahrain . Bahrain has also been recipient of free oil from Saudi Arabia for a number of years, with volumes reaching 50,000 barrels a day. Relations between the two countries were strained recently due to Saudi Arabia 's objections to Bahrain 's FTA with the US . However this has not affected the overall strength of relations between the two countries.

Bahrain 's relations with Qatar improved even further after the resolution of territorial dispute between the two countries over the Hawar, Zubarah and Janan islands. As a result of a ruling by the international Court of Justice,   sovereignty over the Hawar Islands was awarded to Bahrain , whilst Qatar retained the neighboring islands of Zubarah and Janan. Meanwhile both Qatar and Bahrain continue to co-operate on a number of economic, security and environmental issues.

Bahrain also has good relations with the new Iraqi interim government. Bahrain 's relations with Iran were strained previously due to allegations of covert Iranian government support for Shiite demonstrators and rioters in Bahrain in the 1990s. Nevertheless relations between the two countries have improved since, especially after Bahrain 's elections which saw increased participation of the Shiite population in Bahrain 's political affairs.

By: Meir Javedanfar - All contents of this page are protected by International Copy Right Laws ©

Back