Prime Highlights:
- Saudi and Japanese foreign ministers sat down in Riyadh to boost energy relations and regional peace initiatives.
- The diplomatic meeting commemorated 70 years of Saudi-Japanese diplomatic relations.
Key Facts:
- Saudi Arabia committed Japan to a secure supply of crude oil in the spirit of the world’s energy security.
- The talks covered the Gaza crisis, where the two-state solution imperative took precedence.
Key Background
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa convened together in Riyadh to mark seventy years of bilateral relations and strengthening strategic cooperation, especially in energy. The first-ever highest-level meeting was proof of the sound bilateral relationship between Saudi Arabia and Japan and shared interests in regional stability and security of energy.
Quickest on the list, if at all, was energy industry cooperation, as Saudi Arabia reasserted itself to continue being a secure and stable crude producer for Japan. As a consumer of energy, Japan emphasized cooperation to be downright crucial in meeting its energy needs. Saudi Arabia’s Kamikawa stated that Japan had expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for reliable service for three centuries as an energy provider and commended efforts the Kingdom made in securing oil markets worldwide.
Aside from energy, the ministers also addressed issues of utmost concern in the region. The deteriorating condition of humanity in Gaza was noted, and the two nations stressed the necessity of the immediate declaration of a ceasefire and the resumption of constructive negotiations. There was affirmed support for the two-state solution as the only peace option that was possible. The other regional problems, including the Iran nuclear deal and the conflict in Ukraine, were also underlined in reference to regional and international stability.
The summit also saw milestones in stepped-up cooperation drives between the two countries. The two countries have agreed to initiate the Strategic Partnership Council, and it has already started this year by signing the memorandum of understanding. The council will usher in increased joint cooperation in clean energy, technology, space exploration, and defense.
Indeed, such diplomatic initiative in itself is a reflection of increasingly mature and maturing Saudi-Japanese relations. It is rooted mainly on common strategic interests as well as common security, peace, and economic cooperation vision within the backdrop of a more assertive geopolitical landscape in the making.
