BAHRAIN
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the nature and extent is of the Defence Co-operation Agreement recently signed between the UK and Bahrain; and if he will place in the Library a copy of that agreement. [125446]
Dr Murrison, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence [holding answer 29 October 2012]: The Defence Co-Operation Accord signed between the UK and Bahrain on 11 October 2012 provides a framework for current and future defence engagement activity, including training and capacity building, in order to enhance the stability of the wider region. The Accord complements existing agreements.
We have had a long-standing presence in Bahrain with continuous Royal Navy patrols in the Gulf since the 1980s protecting Britain's interests. It is not normal practice to publish such agreements, or to place copies in the Library of the House.