Arab News Japan

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud and his Japanese counterpart IWAYA Takeshi on Thursday reaffirmed their strategic partnership with focus on energy and regional stability through the Strategic Partnership Council (SPC).

During a working lunch, the two officials concurred to arrange an implementation structure to make use of the framework of the SPC, chaired by the leaders of the two countries, for which a memorandum was signed in February.

Iwaya said that the regional and international situation has been changing rapidly during the three months since the Foreign Ministerial Strategic Dialogue in Tokyo was held in February.

He also expressed his desire to hold once again a candid exchange of views with Prince Faisal on bilateral relations as well as the regional and international situation.

According to a press release from Japan’s Foreign Ministry, the Japanese minister thanked the Kingdom for its stable supply of crude oil over the years and his expectation for Saudi Arabia to continue to play a leading role for the stabilization of the global crude oil market.

Prince Faisal reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the stable supply of crude oil and reaffirmed the Kingdom’s willingness to strengthen in the clean energy sector.

The two officials also discussed the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

With Japan passing the baton from Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai to Riyadh Expo 2030, the two ministers agreed to continue to further promote bilateral cooperation.

With regards to the situation in Gaza, they both confirmed the necessity of the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and the improvement of the critical humanitarian situation in the strip.

Both parties said diplomatic efforts will continue to achieve a two-state solution.

They also welcomed the ongoing US-Iran talks and expressed their shared hope for positive progress.

Iwaya said that Japan values the Kingdom’s role in the Russia and Ukraine conflict, stressing the need to lead the world toward cooperation rather than division and confrontation.