Saudi Arabia has expressed aspirations to elevate Arab-Japanese cooperation to higher levels in various fields, emphasizing the importance of making the Middle East a safe, stable, and prosperous region that offers hope for a better future for everyone.
This statement was conveyed during the address made by Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed El-Khereiji at the third session of the Ministerial Meeting of the Arab-Japan Political Dialogue in Cairo, Egypt.
On behalf of Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, El-Khereiji headed Saudi Arabia’s delegation to the event.
El-Khereiji highlighted the extensive alignment between Saudi Arabia and Japan on the significance of achieving peace, encouraging diplomatic solutions, and strengthening security, stability, and development.
He underscored the need for continuing the political dialogue, emphasizing everyone’s commitment to deepening and expanding outstanding cooperation in various fields.
El-Khereiji stressed the importance of exchanging views and perspectives on matters of common political interest. He also highlighted the importance of concerted efforts to safeguard the internationally recognized rights of the Palestinian people and achieve peace through negotiations in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative, international law, and international legitimacy.
“The world faces numerous challenges and difficulties in various domains, requiring unity, increased efforts, heightened coordination, and consultation among nations,” said El-Khereiji.
“It is essential to strengthen Arab joint efforts to realize the aspirations of leaders and peoples for development and prosperity, making our region safe, stable, and characterized by peace and cooperation,” he added.
Saudi Arabia reiterated the significance of peace in the Middle East as the strategic choice for Arab countries and the importance of expediting negotiations to achieve a just and comprehensive solution that meets the aspirations of the Palestinian people in accordance with international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative.
El-Khereiji condemned “the attacks, unilateral actions, and repeated provocations by Israeli occupation forces, which undermine the peace process.”
Saudi Arabia also called on the international community to intensify efforts to ensure the Middle East remains free from the spread of weapons of mass destruction and their negative impact on the region's stability and prosperity.
El-Khereiji also emphasized the need for continued concerted efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism, which has inflicted considerable harm on our countries and peoples, and stressed the importance of confronting countries that support and sponsor terrorism.
The deputy foreign minister noted that Saudi Arabia has never hesitated to harness all its capabilities to serve humanitarian causes, with over $95 billion in aid provided over 70 years, benefiting 160 countries worldwide. This makes Saudi Arabia a leading contributor to humanitarian and developmental aid.
