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SUBJECT [Jan 17] Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meets representatives of Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman
DATE 2020-01-17
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Photo: Arabnews. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrives in Riyadh as a starter of five-day trip to the Middle East on January 11, 2020

 

On January 15, 2020, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s trip to the Middle East for reaffirming ties with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Oman and helping to ease tensions in the regions has ended.

 

Abe first arrived in Riyadh on the 12th for enhancement of bilateral cooperation between Tokyo and Riyadh and met with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Abe addressed his concern of escalating military conflict in the Middle East, which could lead to a major global impact. He expressed Japan’s willingness to continue an utmost diplomatic effort to de-escalate such conflict. The Crown Prince agreed on the necessity to deal with the tension and called for a dialogue, highlighting the importance of international and regional cooperation.

 

On the 13th, Abe, accompanied by Makihara Hideki, Japanese Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, met with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and led on to discussions regarding the importance of diplomatic efforts and agreeing to expand their previous strategic crude oil storage agreement. The UAE-Japan Strategic Energy Cooperation Agreement expired at the end of 2019, but Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council, represented by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy of Japan have decided to further their contract to seek for continuing mutual benefits.

 

Abe’s final journey was to meet with Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud al-Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers of Oman. The two parties discussed various agendas to promote further cooperation. The discussion went on to include ways to advance their bilateral partnership, notably in economy, investment, resources, transport, etc., and means of exchanging expertise and enhancing the role of the joint businessmen’s council of both Oman and Japan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Moreover, both parties talked about global and regional security. On this note, Sayyid Fahd highly recognized Japan’s efforts of contributing to global peace and promoting regional stability.

 

From this visit, Abe and Middle Eastern leaders agreed upon the necessity of dialogue to solve ongoing regional issues. Japan also won support from the three countries regarding the dispatch of Self-Defense Forces to ensure the safe navigation of Japanese ships, which was one of the primary goals of Abe’s Middle East tour.

 

 

[Sources]

Japanese leader meets with Saudi Crown Prince | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News. (2020). Retrieved 13 January 2020, from https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200113_10/

 

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Japan’s Prime Minster witness signing of UAE-Japan Strategic Energy Cooperation Agreement. (2020). Retrieved 14 January 2020, from https://www.mofaic.gov.ae/en/mediahub/news/2020/1/14/14-01-2020-uae-japan

 

Oman and Japan Hold Talks Session. (2020). Retrieved 14 January 2020, from https://omannews.gov.om/NewsDescription/ArtMID/392/ArticleID/6715/Oman-and-Japan-Hold-Talks-Session

 

Abe heads home after Middle East tour | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News. (2020). Retrieved 15 January 2020, from https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200115_08/

 

 

BY MSEAP Cyber Secretariat (mseap@assembly.go.kr)