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Gulf Countries Emphasize Strengthening Strategic Dialogue with Japan

Foreign ministers of the Gulf States and the US in a photo during their meeting in Riyadh last June (GCC)
Foreign ministers of the Gulf States and the US in a photo during their meeting in Riyadh last June (GCC)
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Gulf Countries Emphasize Strengthening Strategic Dialogue with Japan

Foreign ministers of the Gulf States and the US in a photo during their meeting in Riyadh last June (GCC)
Foreign ministers of the Gulf States and the US in a photo during their meeting in Riyadh last June (GCC)

Jasem Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, underlined the strength of Gulf-Japanese relations and the keenness of the two sides to strengthen the strategic dialogue and move forward to achieve common interests in various fields. This came ahead of a joint meeting of the foreign ministers of the Gulf States and their Japanese counterpart on Thursday.

Al-Budaiwi said that Riyadh would host on Thursday the regular meeting of the GCC foreign ministers, in addition to another joint meeting with their Japanese counterpart.

According to the GCC secretary-general, the 157th session of the Ministerial Council of the Arab Gulf States will be held at the level of foreign ministers, chaired by the Omani foreign minister, who heads of the current session of the council.

The joint Gulf-Japanese meeting will also be attended by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi.

Al-Budaiwi emphasized the strength of Gulf-Japanese relations, and the keenness of both sides to strengthen the strategic dialogue and their endeavor to move forward to build strong and close ties aimed at serving their common interests, based on the memorandum of understanding for the strategic dialogue signed between the two parties in January 2012.

The meeting with the Japanese minister is expected to discuss the free trade agreement and technical cooperation in next-generation energy sources, according to the Japanese Kyodo News. The agency did not rule out that the Iranian nuclear file would also be on the discussion table.

Japan and the GCC countries announced the resumption of talks on a free trade agreement, during a Gulf tour conducted by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in July.

Japan imports around 90 percent of its crude oil needs from the Middle East, and hopes to enhance the resource shortage through strategic partnerships with the oil and gas-rich Arab Gulf states.

Fumio Kishida said that Saudi Arabia was an important partner for his country in energy security, indicating that his visit last July aimed to strengthen strategic relations with the Kingdom.

According to Al-Budaiwi, Japan ranked fourth in terms of Gulf countries’ exports, with a value of $76.7 billion, and also fourth in Gulf countries’ imports, valued at $22 billion.

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Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee Meets in Riyadh

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)
The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)
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Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee Meets in Riyadh

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)
The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)

The second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee to follow up on the Beijing Agreement was held in Riyadh on Tuesday.

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi.

The Saudi and Iranian sides reiterated their commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement in all its provisions and their continued effort to consolidate neighborly relations between their countries by respecting the Charter of the United Nations and the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and international law. This includes respecting the sovereignty, independence, and security of states.

Saudi Arabia and Iran welcomed the continued positive role played by China and the importance of its support and follow-up on the implementation of the Beijing Agreement that was signed in March 2023.

China underscored its readiness to continue to support and encourage the steps taken by Saudi Arabia and Iran to develop their relationship in various fields.

The three countries welcomed the continued progress in Saudi-Iranian relations and the opportunities it provides for direct communication between the two countries at all levels and sectors.

They noted the great importance of these contacts, meetings and mutual visits between high officials from the two countries, especially in light of the current regional tensions and escalation that threaten the security of the region and world.

The officials welcomed the progress of consular services between the two countries, which allowed more than 87,000 Iranian pilgrims to perform the Hajj and more than 52,000 Iranians to perform the Umrah with ease and security during the first ten months of 2024.

They welcomed the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian joint Media Committee and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and the Institute of Political and International Studies of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Saudi Arabia and Iran additionally expressed readiness to sign a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). Along with China, they look forward to expanding cooperation among them in various fields including economic and political.

The three countries called for an immediate end to the Israeli assault against Palestine and Lebanon, condemning its attacks and violations of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

They further called for the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid and relief to Palestine and Lebanon, warning that the continuing cycle of violence and escalation is a serious threat to the security of the region and world.

The three countries reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution in Yemen in line with internationally recognized principles under the auspices of the United Nations.