Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japanese Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi met Monday with Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Dr. Jasem Al Budaiwij and expressed Japan’s hope that GCC countries will continue their key role in stabilizing the global oil market amid growing instability in the Middle East, Japan’s Foreign Ministry reported.

Iwaya said that the GCC countries are playing an increasingly important role in the turbulent regional and international situation, and that Japan wishes to further deepen cooperation with them to help realize peace and stability in the region.

Iwaya also expressed his hope that the GCC and Japan would strengthen cooperation in a wide range of political and economic fields, including the early conclusion of the Japan-GCC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations.

Secretary General Al Budaiwi said he also shared the hope that there will be an early conclusion of the EPA and stated that he wishes to steadily advance cooperation in a wide range of fields in accordance with the Japan-GCC Action Plan.

Al Budaiwi also stated that the GCC attaches importance to its relationship with Japan and extended an invitation for a Japan-GCC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Both sides exchanged candid views on the situation in the Middle East, including the situation surrounding Israel and Iran, as well as in the Gaza Strip and Syria. 

Iwaya stated that Japan will continue to make diplomatic efforts to ensure that the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran is steadily implemented and that avenues for dialogue are reopened. Secretary General Al Budaiwi stated that dialogue among the countries concerned is important for regional stability, and that the GCC will continue to work to promote dialogue. 

Both sides also shared concerns about acts that threaten freedom of navigation and attacks on oil facilities and agreed to maintain close cooperation to help bring about peace and stability in the Middle East.