Japan-Qatar Relations
Japan-Qatar Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
September 23, 2021
On September 23, from 11:10 a.m. (local time; September 22, 12:10 p.m. Japan time) for approximately 15 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, held a meeting with H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Motegi expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome he received during his visit to Qatar in August. In response, Minister Mohammed expressed his pleasure to be meeting Minister Motegi again.
- In light of the current situation in Afghanistan, Minister Motegi expressed his great appreciation for the role being played by Qatar, including Qatar’s support for the safe departure of foreign nationals and partners from Afghanistan and temporary reception of Afghans into Qatar, and conveyed his gratitude for Qatar’s cooperation and support for the departure of Japanese nationals. Furthermore, Minister Motegi stated that the Government of Japan continues to exert every effort to ensure the safety and early departure of Japanese nationals and local staffs, among others, who remain in Afghanistan, and requested Qatar’s cooperation. In response, Minister Mohammed stated that Qatar will extend its utmost cooperation.
- Both ministers concurred on the need to prevent Afghanistan from reverting to a hotbed of terrorism and a source of instability in the region, and shared the view to continue to urge and monitor the actions of the Taliban, in light of the importance of ensuring inclusive political processes and the protection of human rights, including those of women.
- Both ministers agreed to continue to work closely together to strengthen bilateral relations, including responses to the various issues related to Afghanistan.