Turkey, Bahrain to work for regional stability: Erdogan

By Enes Kaplan

MANAMA, Bahrain (AA) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said late Sunday that his country would work in cooperation with Bahrain for the "stability, peace, and future of the region."

His remarks came in Bahrain's capital Manama -- the first leg of his four-day, three-nation Gulf tour.

Erdogan was honored by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa with the medal of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

"I receive this medal as a sign of the brotherhood between Turkey and Bahrain peoples," Erdogan said conveying his thanks to the King.

President Erdogan and Bahrain's King held a tete-a-tete meeting in addition to committee meetings in which the two countries signed memoranda of understanding in the fields of education, economy, energy, and defense.

Erdogan's official visit to Bahrain is part of Turkey’s drive to forge economic ties across the Gulf countries including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.