Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japanese Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA Yoko held a meeting and working dinner with Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, on Wednesday and told him that she thinks of the current situation in the Middle East as her own.

She said Japan will continue to urge all parties in the Gaza war to abide by international law and to make diplomatic efforts to realize the release of the hostages and a ceasefire as soon as possible.

Minister Kamikawa also said that Japan is encouraging Southeast Asian countries to get involved in supporting Palestine through the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD).

Abul Gheit is on his first visit to Japan as Secretary General of the League of Arab States, and he took part in the 5th Japan-Arab Economic Forum in Tokyo. He said he would like to further deepen Japan-Arab relations through the Japan-Arab Economic Forum.

The Japanese Foreign Minister said she wanted to address specific measures to further deepen the economic partnership between Japan and the Arab countries as reliable partners under the theme “resilient and sustainable economic development.”

Kamikawa conveyed to Aboul Gheit how their cooperation is steadily developing under the Japan-Arab Political Dialogue and the Economic Forum. The two sides agreed to continue cultural and education cooperation, as well as people-to-people exchanges.

On security, they agreed on the importance of maintaining and strengthening a free and open maritime order. They also exchanged views on the situation in Syria and Libya and said they would continue to work together for peace and stability in the Middle East.

They also exchanged views on women’s advancement in society and agreed on advancing cooperation in various fields, including Women, Peace, and Security.