Press Releases
Japan-Saudi Arabia Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk
October 16, 2023
On October 16th, commencing at 9:05 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone talk with H.H. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to discuss the situation surrounding Palestine and Israel. The overview is as follows.
- Minister Kamikawa stressed that 1) she is paying close attention to the situation in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, with deep concern, 2) she has been unequivocally condemning the recent terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants, especially the attacks on, and kidnapping of, innocent civilians, which cannot be justified for any reason, 3) she is deeply saddened by the loss of lives of so many innocent civilians, and that it is important for the numerous civilians being held hostage to be released as soon as possible, and 4) she would also like to closely work together with Saudi Arabia on improving humanitarian access and providing humanitarian aid, including food, water, and medical care for innocent civilians.
- In response, Minister Faisal stated that he shares the deep concern about the situation on the ground, and explained Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic efforts in the wake of the attack.
- In addition, Minister Kamikawa expressed appreciation towards Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic efforts on this matter, and stated that Japan has been communicating with the parties concerned in order to calm down the situation. The two ministers confirmed that they will continue to work together to calm down the situation and to closely cooperate each other to improve humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.