Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs YAMADA Kenji visited Algeria on December 18 and 19, and then Morocco December 19 to 21 to discuss bilateral affairs, the foreign ministry said.

In Algeria, Yamada met Vice-Minister Amar Belani and stated that he would like to use the visit as an opportunity to develop relations in a wide range of fields, including the economy, and to further strengthen the bilateral relationship.

Algeria celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Japan this year.

Vice-Minister Amar Belani welcomed the negotiations on a tax treaty between the two countries and on an intergovernmental joint economic commission agreement.

Both sides shared the view that they will work together to address the international situation, including UN Security Council reform and peace and stability in Africa, according to the ministry.

Yamada expressed appreciation for President Abedelmadid Tebboune’s efforts to improve the business environment and requested support for Japanese companies operating locally.

He also expressed his appreciation for the stable supply of crude oil from Algeria to the global crude oil market and pointed out the importance of dialogue and cooperation between both producing and consuming countries.

Yamada’s visit to Morocco was the first in about three years as a member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs governmental affairs.

He congratulated Morocco on the performance of its football team historic achievements in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and said he was very pleased that bilateral relations have steadily developed through exchanges at various levels.

In response, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita noted that Morocco and Japan have built good relations in various fields based on the traditional friendship between Morocco’s royal family and Japan’s Imperial family.

Yamada expressed his gratitude to Mocine Jazoul, the Minister Delegate in charge of Investment, Convergence and the Evaluation of Public Policies, for his efforts to promote economic exchange with Japan.

Jazoul said that economic ties between the two countries have become closer due to the expansion of many Japanese companies in Morocco, and that there are strategic industries with high growth potential in Morocco, such as automobiles, aviation, renewable energy and food.

Jazoul stated that he would like to work at the government level to further raise the level of investment and trade between the two countries.