Japan and Saudi Arabia Pledge Continued Cooperation on Middle East Issues

TOKYO: Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud confirmed their commitment to work closely on Middle Eastern issues, including the ongoing situation in Gaza. This was announced by Japan's Foreign Ministry following a 20-minute telephone conversation between the two officials on Monday. According to Kuwait News Agency, during the call, Iwaya expressed deep concern regarding the escalating violence in the Middle East, highlighting a recent attack by Israel on Iran. He strongly condemned actions that contribute to the escalation of tensions in the region. Iwaya stressed the necessity for all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint to prevent further conflict. The conversation also touched on the upcoming 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia. Iwaya conveyed Japan's desire to enhance the Strategic Partnership between the two nations, with the aim of contributing to international stability, particularly in the Mid dle East. In response, Prince Faisal expressed optimism about the future of the Japan-Saudi Arabia relationship, which is nearing a significant anniversary. He voiced his hope for continued development under the Strategic Partnership framework, as noted in the press release.