CAIRO, September 12, 2017 (WAFA) – The first round of Arab-Japanese political dialogue stressed the necessity of achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, Algerian Foreign Minister Abdul Qader Mesahel said.
In a joint press conference with the Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Mesahel said both sides urged the international community to work with the concerned parties to end the Israeli occupation of all occupied Palestinian and Arab lands occupied in 1967.
Mesahel added that the Japanese-Arab dialogue discussed the most important Arab and international issues, especially the Palestinian issue and the other Arab crises in Libya, Syria and Yemen, in addition to topics of developments in East Asia, combating terrorism and nuclear non-proliferation issues, stressing that political dialogue is the only way to resolve disputes.
Meanwhile, the Japanese Foreign Minister described the Arab-Japanese dialogue forum as a historic dialogue between Japan and the Arab countries, stressing that his country provides permanent assistance to the Palestinian people through important programs, whether by supporting economy, education or services.
He added that Japan is trying to support the Palestinian economy for future progress.
Kono revealed that Japan‘s recognition of the State of Palestine was discussed with the US administration. He added that Japan will make its contribution to the policy of US President Donald Trump on the Palestinian issue when it is crystallized.
In the meantime, Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki, speaking at the Japan-Arab political dialogue forum, said Palestine is looking forward to deepen and strengthen bilateral relations with Japan and uphold the Palestinian-Japanese relations in the near future. He said deepening relations with Japan will be based on recognizing the State of Palestine and the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and statehood.
"Japan‘s permanent pursuit of peace, security and stability in the region and its directives based on respect for international law and the values ??of human justice, make us always ask Tokyo to take this step, which will ultimately enhance the Arab-Japanese relations," al-Malki said.
The first Japan-Arab Political Dialogue was held in Cairo on Monday with the participation of Secretary General of the Arab League, eight foreign ministers, five ministerial level representatives from 21 member states of the Arab League.
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