Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru and Bahrain’s Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on Friday attended the signing ceremony of Memoranda of Cooperation between the two countries in the fields of patents, space, human resource development in the public sector and digital cooperation.

In addition, the two countries inked a revision of the framework between aviation authorities based on the Air Services Agreement.

Following the signing, the Prime Minister and the Crown Prince had a working dinner together.

The two sides confirmed their intention to strengthen cooperation between Japan and the Gulf Cooperation Council through opportunities such as the Japan-GCC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. They also confirmed their cooperation towards the early conclusion of the Japan-GCC Economic Partnership Agreement currently under negotiation. 

Ishiba noted the nearly 100 years of friendship between the two countries and stated that both countries support the rule of law and multilateralism, including the United Nations, and place importance on the peaceful resolution of conflicts and humanitarian assistance. He explained that the elevation of their bilateral relationship to a “Strategic Partnership” signifies a deeper level of cooperation and mutual understanding and expressed his desire to strengthen bilateral relations further.

Crown Prince Salman said he was pleased they had elevated their bilateral relationship to a “Strategic Partnership” and stated his wish to expand cooperation between the two countries to a wider range of areas. 

Ishiba highlighted the launch of the Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue, which included the inaugural meeting between Japanese Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi and Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani in September. The Japanese Prime Minister noted that cooperation between the two countries has expanded beyond traditional energy sectors to encompass a wide range of areas, showcasing the depth of their relationship. Ishiba expressed his eagerness to further develop bilateral relations.

Prime Minister Ishiba expressed his hopes for enhancing cooperation in the clean energy and transportation sectors, highlighting that Japanese startups are increasingly investing in Bahrain. He conveyed his desire for both governments to support these initiatives and connect them to tangible cooperation projects, including the development of renewable energy sources and the improvement of public transportation systems.

The two parties engaged in discussions about the current international situation, with a particular focus on the Middle East, Europe, and the Indo-Pacific regions. Ishiba expressed significant concern regarding the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and underscored the importance of Palestine achieving a sustainable existence alongside Israel. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a “two-state solution,” emphasizing their dedication to fostering long-term regional peace and stability.