FM Shoukry says Japan has special place in Arab world, announce resuming direct flights to Tokyo as of Sept. 14

CAIRO – 5 September 2023: Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Monday that Japan has a special place in the Arab world, thanks to its well-balanced positions and centuries-old ties with Arab countries.

In his opening remarks for the third round of the Japan-Arab Political Dialogue, held Tuesday at the foreign ministers' level, Shoukry reaffirmed a joint commitment to maintain ongoing cooperation and friendship, noting that the Arab-Japanese political relations have a lot in common.

He also commended the transparent approach adopted by both sides through a constant dialogue aimed at bolstering joint cooperation.

Japan has a diversified economic cooperation with the Arab world, with trade exchange volume amounting to $100 billion in 2021, noted Shoukry, who leads the Arab side in his capacity as current head of the 159th session of the Arab League Council at the foreign ministers' level.

During a joint press conference on Tuesday, Shoukry and his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi underlined the depth of bilateral ties in various domains.

Shoukry welcomed the Japanese foreign minister on his first visit to Egypt since assuming his post.

He noted that the visit reflects the two countries' interest in enhancing bilateral ties.

Shoukry said the talks tackled means of furthering bilateral ties, voicing appreciation to Japan's support to national projects in Egypt, including the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Shoukry noted that the talks also tackled resuming EgyptAir flights to Tokyo as of September 14 as that this would contribute to boosting tourism.

Foreign Minister Shoukry said he and his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi are looking forward to a deep discussion on means pf putting into effect the important declaration of elevating the level of bilateral ties during the upcoming Egyptian-Japanese strategic dialogue round due to be held in December in Tokyo.

Shoukry lauded Japanese investments in Egypt, expressing desire to encourage the Japanese private sector to inject more investments in various promising sectors.

He noted that the "constructive and positive" talks tackled several international issues of mutual concern, especially the economic repercussions of the Ukrainian crisis on developing countries.

The talks also addressed regional issues, including the Palestinian cause, the conditions in Libya and Yemen.

The Japanese minister stood on the Egyptian diplomatic efforts to settle the situation in Sudan, referring to Egypt hosting of the Sudan neighbors summit in July, Shoukry said.

He noted that Egypt and Japan adopt almost identical views vis-a-vis several regional and international issues, adding that they agreed to continued consultations and coordination.

He stressed Egypt's keenness on furthering cooperation with Japan.

Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi expressed happiness for being in Egypt which is "a major regional state," noting that this is his first visit to Egypt since assuming his post.

He stressed that Egypt is a key partner to Japan and plays a pivotal role in achieving peace in the Middle East and Africa.

He noted that the Egyptian-Japanese relations were elevated to the level of strategic partnership during the visit of the Japanese premier to Egypt in April.

He noted that he discussed with Shoukry a number of issues, including enhancing ties, economic cooperation as well as regional and international conditions.

The talks tackled means of supporting ship movement in the Suez Canal, the Grand Egyptian Museum as an icon of cultural cooperation between the two sides as well as boosting investments and resuming EgyptAir flights between Egypt and Japan.

The talks also tackled the repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian war and Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal, he said, underlining Japan's cooperation to ensure international food security.

He added that the talks tackled the situation in Sudan, urging Sudanese parties to cease fire and form a civilian government.

He expressed concerns over deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Sudan, noting that Japan extended 92$ million to Sudan's neighboring countries.

He added that his country is concerned about Palestinian-Israeli tension, lauding the Egyptian efforts to hold a Palestinian reconciliation meeting.

He noted that his country extended a one million dollar grant to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in addition to 1.4 million dollars to the World Food Program.

He underlined the role of multinational forces in which four Japanese officers are participating.

He added that the talks also tackled releasing wastewater of Fukushima reactor into the ocean.

He referred to holding the first Egyptian-Japanese-Jordanian meeting, noting that he will attend later in the day the third Arab-Japanese dialogue meeting at the Arab League.