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Diplomacy
Japan emphasizes importance of ties with Gulf Cooperation Council
Thursday, May 1, 2025
PanOrient News
TOKYO: Japanese Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi met with Jasem Al Budaiwi, the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), on Thursday. He emphasized the importance of the Gulf region for Japan’s energy security, according to the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo.
Both parties expressed their satisfaction with the first round of negotiations on the Japan-GCC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which resumed in December 2024. They emphasized their mutual desire to enhance efforts towards achieving a swift conclusion to the negotiations, highlighting their shared objective.
Iwaya highlighted the Gulf region's growing significance in promoting peace and stability amid the current turbulent international situation, noting that Japan values its partnership with the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Secretary-General Budaiwi stated that the relationship between Japan and the GCC member states is not only important but also strategically crucial. He emphasized that the GCC aims to further strengthen its ties with Japan, a sentiment echoed by Iwaya.
Both sides have confirmed their intention to cooperate in various areas, including politics, security, trade, and investment. This commitment is grounded in the Japan-GCC Action Plan, which was adopted during the first Japan-GCC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in September 2023. This action plan highlights the breadth and depth of their relationship.
The two sides engaged in an open discussion about the current situations in the Middle East and East Asia, focusing on issues in Gaza, Syria, Iran, and the Red Sea. They explored potential areas for collaboration and expressed their concerns regarding the ongoing conflicts and tensions in these regions.
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