Okano Yukiko, deputy press secretary of Japan's Foreign Ministry, emphasized the importance of the strategic Japanese-Saudi relations, stressing that the two sides were open to comprehensive cooperation in various fields.
During a press conference on Thursday in Riyadh, Yukiko responded to a question by Asharq Al-Awsat, saying that she does not rule out bilateral cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the military field, if the climate was favorable.
She noted that during the visit of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the Kingdom in July, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi met with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and agreed to launch an extensive strategic dialogue between Riyadh and Tokyo.
The Japanese official added that the launching of strategic talks between the two parties was based on an agreement between Kishida and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reiterating that Tokyo attached great importance to promoting partnerships with Riyadh.
Yukiko stated that Japan was seeking to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Saudi Arabia, and with the Gulf States, on the largest possible scale and at the global level, while highlighting the importance of establishing a strategic dialogue at the level of foreign ministers to benefit from the existing diplomatic frameworks.
She went on to say that the Japanese foreign minister put forward an initiative to hold a policy planning meeting at the administrative level, for the purpose of freely exchanging views on the prospects of international affairs and common issues in the medium and long term, from a strategic and multi-sectoral standpoint.
The official noted that Hayashi conveyed to his Saudi counterpart the recent decision taken by Japan regarding measures to facilitate the issuance of multiple entry visas for Saudi citizens who meet certain economic requirements.
The two sides are expected to implement tangible cooperation projects to achieve the vision of making the Middle East a global center for the supply of clean energy and vital minerals, she underlined.
Yukiko stressed that the two parties expressed their desire to work closely as two states that recognize the importance of the rule of law and international cooperation.
She noted that the Saudi and Japanese ministers agreed to adopt transparency regarding their views on the situation in the Middle East and East Asia, while continuing to work together to achieve peace and stability in the two regions.
