Foreign Minister highlights growing Qatar-Japan ties

The bilateral ties between Qatar and Japan are seeing great development and growth in various fields, due to the mutual trust and political will on both sides to enhance cooperation, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. He said that the official visit Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani paid to Tokyo in January 2019 represented a new phase of cooperation and the strategic partnership between the two sides. This came during the speech of the Minister during the 2nd ministerial Arab-Japan Political Dialogue, which was held yesterday via video conference. The Arab side was chaired by H E the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs with the League of Arab States Secretary-General, H E Ahmed Abo Al Gheit. The Japanese side was chaired by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, H E Toshimitsu Motegi. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said that the Memorandums of Understanding signed between the State of Qatar and the joint statement on establishing a mechanism for strategic dialogue, reflected the honest desire on both sides to enhance bilateral relations and encourage ongoing cooperation in all fields. He added that Japan continues to be one of Qatar’s most important trade partners, especially in the field of energy, after 50 years of establishing ties.

Qatar is one of the primary LNG suppliers to Japan. He highlighted that Arabic-Japanese ties are based on a long history of pursuing mutual interests, noting that it is filled with great examples of cooperation and shared viewpoints on a number of regional and international issues. The Arab world is keen on enhancing and deepening that cooperation in different fields. The Foreign Minister noted that cooperation between the Arab and Japanese sides saw great development over the past years, in addition to sharing similar viewpoints on a number of regional and international issues, particularly those related to international peace, disarmament, denuclearization, countering terrorism, climate change, and reforming the United Nations and the Security Council among other topics. He stressed that Arab-Japanese ties are not just based on political and strategic cooperation, but extends to the economic cooperation which has seen great growth, reflected in the large increase in the size of trade volume and investments. The Japanese role and support of Arab issues, led by the Palestinian issue is appreciating, adding that the Arab side looks towards this support to continue as part of the efforts made by the international community to oblige Israel to adhere to international resolutions and peace based on a two-state solution, so that the Palestinian people can practice their right of establishing an independent state on the borders of June 4, 1967 with East Al Quds as its capital. He said that this step would boost security and stability in the region and the world. He renewed appreciation to the Japanese support to United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), expressing hope that the support would continue so that the agency can carry out its role of helping around 5 million Palestinian refugees who are suffering with difficult humanitarian conditions. He said that, as part of Japan’s active role in maintaining international peace and security, the Arab world hopes that Japan plays its part in participating in international community efforts in resolving Arab crises, led by the crises in Syria, Libya, and Yemen. He added that today’s meeting comes in extraordinary circumstances imposed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the grave dangerous impact it has on the economy and society all over the world. There is no doubt that the pandemic has shown firsthand the importance of having all countries cooperate in facing joint challenges facing humanity. He looks forward to enhancing solidarity and cooperation between the Arab and Japanese side in containing the impact of the pandemic, said the Minister.