Saudi, Japanese foreign ministers hold third strategic dialogue in Riyadh

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi at the ministry headquarters in Riyadh on Monday.

Following the reception, the two ministers held the third session of their strategic dialogue. In his opening remarks, Prince Faisal emphasized the Kingdom’s strong and longstanding ties with Japan, built on trust and mutual respect.

He described Japan as a key economic partner for Saudi Arabia, expressing the Kingdom’s eagerness to further develop these relations and capitalize on economic opportunities available to both countries. He said: "We see promising opportunities to expand cooperation in investment, energy, resources, supply chains, defense, technology, and the exchange of expertise and capabilities, supporting our priorities and achieving our shared goals."

The foreign minister affirmed that Saudi Arabia will remain a reliable partner for Japan across various fields, including energy, and praised Japan’s efforts and initiatives to enhance economic resilience and ensure the stability of global energy and trade markets.

He added that maritime security is a top shared priority, stressing the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation in all international waterways in accordance with international law, and ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab, and all maritime passages remain open, safe, and free from threats.

In closing, Prince Faisal said: "The Kingdom continues its efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent renewed conflicts by focusing on comprehensive and sustainable diplomatic solutions that address the sources of instability in our region. We affirm that diplomacy, dialogue, and peaceful means remain our priorities, and we value Japan’s support for international law, its humanitarian and development contributions, and its positions in support of stability and peaceful solutions."

The meeting was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi bin Faisal bin Zagr and Director General of the General Department for Asian Countries, Ambassador Nasser Al-Ghanoum.