The United States and Bahrain have signed an agreement to cooperate in the field of civil nuclear energy, ahead of a scheduled meeting at the White House between U.S. President Donald Trump and Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

During the signing ceremony, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, standing alongside his Bahraini counterpart Abdullah bin Rashid Al-Zayani, described the agreement as “an important signing” and “the first step towards deeper civil nuclear cooperation.” He added that it “demonstrates the United States’ readiness to partner with any country seeking to pursue a civil nuclear program.”

Following the signing, President Trump welcomed the Crown Prince to the White House, where the Bahraini leader announced plans to invest $17 billion in the United States.