Japan’s Foreign Minister praises GCC’s vital role in achieving peace in Middle East

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Japan’s Foreign Minister praises GCC’s vital role in achieving peace in Middle East

Japan’s Foreign Minister praises GCC’s vital role in achieving peace in Middle East

GCC politicians and senior figures, including Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s Prime Minister Ahmed Abdullah and Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, Qatar’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs. (MOFA)

Japanese Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi attended the Second Japan-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuwait on Monday and said the GCC is playing an increasingly vital role in ensuring stability in the region. (MOFA)

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02 Sep 2025 10:09:59 GMT9

TOKYO: Japanese Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi attended the Second Japan-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuwait on Monday and said the GCC is playing an increasingly vital role in ensuring stability in the region.

He emphasized the growing importance of cooperation between Japan and the GCC, including in humanitarian and development fields. He also expressed Japan’s intention to collaborate with the GCC in areas such as clean energy and materials, advanced technologies, academia and culture, and agriculture.

In addition, he called for cooperation with GCC member states toward the implementation of the “Indian Ocean-Africa Economic Corridor Initiative,” a proposal made by Japanese Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru at TICAD9.

Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, stated that Japan-GCC relations have deepened in recent years and noted that Japan and the GCC have great potential for further cooperation. He also expressed the GCC’s intention to advance ongoing negotiations on the Japan-GCC Economic Partnership Agreement.

The GCC representatives shared their perspectives on the current situation in the Middle East and the efforts being undertaken by their respective countries to resolve various issues. They expressed appreciation and recognition for Japan’s contributions to Palestine and Syria and its consistent support for a two-state solution, with the expectation that Japan will play a more proactive role in helping to bring stability to the Middle East.

9月1日から2日まで、#岩屋外務大臣は #クウェートを訪問し、日・GCC（湾岸協力理事会）外相会合等に出席しました。その様子をメッセージと共にお届けします。

概要はこちら👇https://t.co/PW92CNwnMh @GCCSG #GCC pic.twitter.com/pLpJ3GlDvV
— 外務省 (@MofaJapan_jp) September 3, 2025

Iwaya looked towards enhanced collaboration with GCC countries to help resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and achieve a complete cessation of attacks by the Houthis in Yemen.

He also expressed his hope to continue working with the GCC countries to ensure the freedom and safety of navigation along key maritime routes vital to the global supply chain.

Iwaya also held several meetings with leading GCC politicians and senior figures, including Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s Prime Minister Ahmed Abdullah and Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, Qatar’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs.

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