(MENAFN- The Peninsula) joelyn baluyut |
The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister of Japan, H E Fumio Kishida, arrived in Doha yesterday and emphasised that Japan's relationship with Qatar extends beyond the energy sector.
Read Also japan airlines to launch nonstop flights to doha summer 2024 amir holds official talks with japanese prime minister
In a press conference held at the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & convention Hotel, Prime Minister Kishida highlighted the longstanding relationship between Japan and Qatar, primarily centered around liquefied natural gas (LNG), Kishida acknowledged the expansion of their cooperation into various areas. These include renewable energy, such as solar power, energy transition with a focus on decarbonisation, and infrastructure development, exemplified by projects like the Doha Metro.
“Our cooperation has developed beyond the field of conventional energy to cover extensive areas,” he said.
Qatar and Japan have established diplomatic relations that have spanned over five decades. His arrival in the country is the final leg of his Gulf tour aimed at securing energy supplies and strengthening bilateral relations.
Prime Minister Kishida lauded Qatar's active role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East and Africa. He stressed the multi-layered framework of consultations and dialogues established between Japan and Qatar, including the Japan-Qatar foreign ministers' strategic dialogue, as mechanisms to further enhance cooperation in different fields.
As a testament to their deepening ties, the leaders agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.
“From such a perspective, I am extremely pleased that Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and I have agreed to elevate our bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, it is our intention to expand our collaborations with Qatar to cover diverse areas of diplomacy and security, infrastructure, investment, culture and academic exchange.”
Qatar was one of the countries included in Prime Minister Kishida's Gulf tour, along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
During the press conference, Prime Minister Kishida delivered a speech that focused on four key points discussed with the leaders of the Gulf countries.
Firstly, Japan proposed collaborative efforts with Saudi Arabia and the UAE to transform the Middle East into a global supply hub of clean energy and critical minerals. The focus extended to the production of hydrogen and ammonia and the practical application of decarbonisation technology. Research and development on energy sources, including materials like green steel, gained prominence within the partnership.
The second point was focused on economic and industrial diversification. The PM said Japan demonstrated a firm commitment to supporting economic and industrial diversification in the three Gulf countries. Seven documents on bilateral cooperation were signed, covering areas such as advanced technology, semiconductors, outer space, healthcare, education, agriculture, and tourism.
Over 50 memoranda of understanding were inked between Japanese and Gulf companies, further strengthening ties between the private sectors. Thirdly, Kishida has also recognised the growing political and economic influence of the Gulf countries, and Japan agreed to engage in more frequent diplomatic and security dialogues. The Gulf Cooperation Council and Japan decided to organise regular meetings on the foreign ministerial level, solidifying their cooperation in international fora. And the fourth point, the PM explained the strengthened exchange in the area of soft power. Promoting exchanges in the area of soft power, the leaders of Japan and the Gulf countries aimed to increase the number of students from the region studying in Japan, and deeper relations in culture, sports, education, and science were highlighted as essential means of fostering stronger ties between nations.
“It was truly a meaningful tour as we strive to build on and expand upon the fruitful discussions, we have on the G7 Hiroshima Summit,” the PM said.“The actions taken during this trip in the Middle East will be continued in our diplomatic efforts to secure the safety and prosperity of our country and the stability and prosperity of the international community,” PM Kishida concluded.