Ankara-Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that his country would continue to support Bahrain’s efforts to preserve its internal security.

The Turkish premier met with Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Sunday in Ciragan Palace in Istanbul. The meeting was closed to reporters.

According to sources in the Turkish premiership, Yildirim stressed that the visit of Bahrain’s king to Istanbul showed the Kingdom’s support to Turkey’s democratic institutions. He added that Ankara’s support to Bahrain’s security would last forever.

For his part, King Hamad highlighted the importance of relations with Turkey, noting that his country looks towards further developing existing ties with Ankara.

The Bahraini King arrived in Turkey on Thursday on an official visit during which he met with high-ranking officials, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Well-informed Turkish sources said the meeting between Yildirim and King Hamad focused on future cooperation between the two countries, as well as regional issues, including the situation in Syria and Iraq.

On Friday, King Hamad attended the official inauguration of the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge linking the European and Asian sides of the city.

The inauguration, under the patronage of President Erdogan, was attended by several heads of state and governments.

The Bahraini King expressed his “pride in the strong relations and robust cooperation between Bahrain and Turkey” in the economic, commercial and investment sectors as well as in joint ventures, wishing both countries further progress and prosperity.

The King’s meeting with Erdogan saw the signature of several cooperation agreements and memoranda of accords in different fields.