Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan and Qatar discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation under the “Strategic Partnership” –confirmed between the two countries’ leaders last year – at the 5th Japan-Qatar Foreign Policy Dialogue on Thursday.

Areas of discussion included political, economic and defense exchanges among other topics, Japan’s Foreign Ministry said.

The Japan side was headed by ANDO Toshihide, Director-General of the Middle East and African Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while Qatar was led by Ahmed bin Hassan Malallah Al-Hammadi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Qatari Ambassador to Japan Jaber Jarallah Al-Marri.

The two sides also exchanged views on the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific, the situation in the Middle East, including the situation in Gaza and Afghanistan, and the situation in East Asia.

Japan and Qatar confirmed that they would further deepen cooperation with the aim of bringing stability to the region and international society.