Qatar Participates in Ministerial Meeting of Arab-Japanese Political Dialogue
Cairo - Information Office - September 11
The State of Qatar has participated in the first session of the ministerial meeting of the Arab-Japanese political dialogue held today at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo.
HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi ,who headed the delegation of the State of Qatar to meeting, expressed condemnation of the attack on the Egyptian police in North Sinai, reiterating Qatar's firm stance rejecting violence and terrorism regardless of motives and reasons, and expressed Qatar's condolences to the families of the victims and the Egyptian people.
Addressing the meeting, Al-Muraikhi underlined the importance of the joint meeting between the Arab foreign ministers and Japan's foreign minister, adding that it reflects the keenness and desire of the Arab countries and Japan to deepen their political relations and advance their distinguished relations to wider horizons of cooperation, through further understanding to strengthen the bonds of cooperation and build visions and common positions on many issues at international forums.
He said that the history of Arab-Japanese relations is full of models of cooperation and constructive understanding. He pointed out that the relations between the two sides had witnessed great developments over the past ten years. The level of political consultation on international and regional issues of common interest had risen to high levels in light of the great convergence between the two sides in the visions towards the international issues such as international security, disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation, counter-terrorism, violent extremism, reform of the United Nations system, the Security Council and others.
HE the Minister Al-Muraikhi added that on the economic level, the Arab-Japanese relations reflect a model of positive cooperation that should be followed, he said.
The economic cooperation witnessed clear progress among many Arab countries and Japan, and there are significant increases in the volume of trade exchange and investments between the two sides, he noted.
The Arab-Japanese Economic Forum has witnessed progress in its various sessions in dealing with the various economic aspects. HE the Minister expressed the hope that the regularity and harmony that characterized work would be reflected in the political dialogue that we are discussing today.
He pointed out that this session of political dialogue between the Arab countries and Japan comes as we witness more Israeli escalation in the occupied Arab territories, the continuation of settlement operations and serious violations and attempts to change the historical situation of Al-Aqsa Mosque, stressing strongly that any effort to achieve security and stability in the region is linked to access to a just and comprehensive settlement based on the Arab peace initiative and resolutions of international legitimacy and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital, HE the Minister said.
HE Minister Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi appreciated Japan's steadfast and supportive stands for Arab issues, foremost among which is the support of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, the establishment of their independent state, the implementation of international legitimacy resolutions, condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli settlement activities and their violation of international law. Which was approved by the international community. He also praised Japan's estimated contributions through development projects in alleviating the suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people.
He also praised the positive role played by Japan through the initiative and participation in efforts to resolve many crises in the Arab region and around the world through humanitarian assistance and contribution to development efforts.
HE the Minister expressed great satisfaction at the continuous development and growing growth in the bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and Japan, stressing that this is the result of mutual trust and the political will of the two countries to permanently move relations to a wider level of cooperation and reach a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries..
He stressed that Japan is one of the most important trading partners of the State of Qatar. He pointed out that bilateral trade exceeded 12 billion dollars during the past year. The relations between the two countries are not based on the flourishing commercial, economic and investment interests, but are varied from trade to defense, Education, healthcare, sports, technology and human resource development.
HE Minister of State HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi expressed his hope that the meeting would achieve the desired objectives in further fruitful and constructive cooperation between the Arab and Japanese sides and contribute to advancing relations in all fields towards the aspirations of the two sides.