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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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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.