Arab News Japan

TOKYO: In a meeting between state officials on Thursday, Japan and Libya reaffirmed their good relations and continued cooperation on bilateral issues, including achieving peace and stability in Libya’s territories.

Takashi Uto, Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs, received a courtesy call from Dr. Ahmed Naili, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Libyan Embassy in Tokyo, and discussed various issues of mutual interest.

Japan Foreign Ministry officials told Arab News Japan that State Minister Uto indicated that he hoped to further develop the existing good relations between the two countries, while Chargé d’Affaires Naili concurred with this position, stating that Libya also wants to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation, especially in the capacity building field that Japan holds high expertise in.

Uto said Japan will continue to support Libya through international organizations, especially with measures to counterthe new coronavirus pandemic. He also said achieving stability in Libya is indispensable for the stability of the Middle East and Africa, and that Japan will do all it can to help stabilize Libya. This, Uto reiterated, will pave the way to swiftly re-establish the Embassy of Japan in Libya. Currently, the embassy is working out of Tunis.   

In response, Chargé d’Affaires Naili expressed his gratitude for Japan’s support, especially in the field of global health and the fight against the menace of COVID-19. 

Naili also gave an update of the current situation in Libya,including the latest on the political dialogue and the work of committees related to the military, constitutional affairs, economic and political issues, and the role of women and youth in the next stage of political evolution in Libya where elections are slated for December 24, the day of the 70th anniversary of the Independence of Libya.

At the end of the courtesy call, Uto and Naili – who first met at an African Union Summit in Addis Ababa in 2014 – agreed to work together towards raising their countries’ relationship to new heights.