Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Discusses Regional Affairs with Japanese PM

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Discusses Regional Affairs with Japanese PM
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Discusses Regional Affairs with Japanese PM

Sheikh Mohamed al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, held talks on Monday with Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, WAM reported.

Bilateral Relations

Discussions focused on bilateral relations and ways to bolster them in all fields. They also tackled the situation in the Arab Gulf and Middle East, as well as regional and international affairs.

Sheikh Mohamed thanked Abe for accepting his invitation to attend the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2020. This reflects their cooperation in achieving local, regional and international sustainable development.

He stressed that the relations between the UAE and Japan are deep-rooted. Such relations have witnessed progress in the areas of trade, energy, investment, technology, space and education during the past decades.

Special Diplomatic Relations

He also referred that Japan was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the UAE in 1971. The 1990-visit of the late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan to Japan was a turning point in the bilateral relations.

"Your visit to the UAE in 2018 was a strong boost to our relations. Especially as it resulted in an agreement to develop our cooperation through a comprehensive strategic partnership initiative," said Sheikh Mohamed. "The UAE, under the leadership of President Sheikh Khalifa Al Nahyan, is also keen to enhance and activate this strategic partnership."

Sheikh Mohamed explained that what makes the relations between Abu Dhabi and Tokyo important is that they represent two leading regional and international development models. They also share a system of civilized values that call for tolerance, coexistence and dialogue. It also rejects extremism, terrorism, hatred and racism, no matter the source.

Sheikh Mohamed stated that the Arab Gulf and Middle East regions are enduring complex situations. This needs to be wisely dealt, to maintain stability in a region of strategic importance to global peace and security.

He added that certain regional powers' interference in the Arab countries' internal affairs mainly leads to tensions in the region.

Sheikh Mohamed underlined the UAE's firm stance in supporting stability and peace in the region. This ensures the flow of oil from the Arabian Gulf to Japan and the world. It also maintains the security of international shipping lines.

Safety of Maritime Corridors

He also stressed that the UAE's joining of the "International Alliance for the Safety and Protection of Maritime Navigation and Ensuring the Safety of Maritime Corridors" proves its keenness to contribute to any international or regional effort and deter threats to international navigation and global energy supplies.

Sheikh Mohamed expressed his appreciation for Japan's wise and balanced policy towards the Arabian Gulf and the Middle East.

He also praised Japan's sending Maritime Self-Defense Forces to the Middle East to secure its ships and protect its oil supplies.

Sheikh Mohamed stressed that this position is in line with that of the UAE, which supports every step that contributes to the safety and freedom of navigation in the region. He said it is also in line with the UAE's policy in support of establishing the pillars of security and stability in the region.

Abe, for his part, expressed his appreciation for the UAE's policy towards developments in the Arab region.

UAE-Japan Strategic Energy Cooperation Agreement

Sheikh Mohamed and Abe then oversaw the signing of the UAE-Japan Strategic Energy Cooperation Agreement. The agreement is between the Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council, represented by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, ADNOC, and the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy of Japan. It's about the storage of over 8 million barrels of crude oil at storage facilities in Japan.

The agreement also extends the previous strategic crude oil storage agreement between the two nations expired at the end of 2019. The agreement has an initial three year period. ADNOC will store crude oil at storage facilities in Japan which may be traded to customers. While it ensures that certain quantities of crude oil are available in case of an oil shortage event in Japan.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, ADNOC Group CEO, and Makihara Hideki, Japan's State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry signed the agreement.

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