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The Second Japan-Saudi Arabia Foreign Ministerial Strategic Dialogue

February 3, 2025
Minister Iwaya shaking hands with Minister Faisal
Minister Iwaya is talking to Minister Faisal during  the Foreign Ministerial Strategic Dialogue
Both ministers signing Memorandums

On February 3, from 7 p.m. for approximately 100 minutes, Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held the Second Japan-Saudi Arabia Foreign Ministerial Strategic Dialogue in the form of a meeting and working dinner..

On this occasion, the two ministers signed a Memorandum for Establishing Strategic Partnership Council and a Memorandum of Cooperation on the Mutual Exemption of Short Stay Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic, Special/Official Passports.

The overview of the Strategic Dialogue is as follows.

Opening remarks

Minister Iwaya, while mentioning that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, stated that, amid the continued instability in the Middle East, the two countries would like to further strengthen their strategic partnership and work more closely together for the peace and stability of the Middle East region and the International Community.

Minister Faisal stated that he would like to further strengthen the cooperative relationship between the two countries under the newly launched Strategic Partnership Council.

Bilateral Relations

Minister Iwaya expressed his gratitude for the long-standing stable supply of crude oil and his continued expectations for the role of Saudi Arabia in leading the stabilization of the global crude oil market, and welcomed the progress in cooperation on clean energy, which is being carried out using Japanese technology, under the “Lighthouse Initiative” concurred to by the leaders of both countries in July 2023.

In response, Minister Faisal stated that he would continue to commit to a stable supply of crude oil to Japan, and expressed his hope that cooperation between the two countries would further progress in the fields of clean energy, critical minerals and others.

The two ministers shared the view that their governments would continue to work to further strengthen relations in the fields of tourism, culture, sports, entertainment, etc.

Regional and international situations

The two ministers had a frank exchange of views on the situation in the Middle East, including the situation in Palestine and Israel, the situation in Syria, and the situation in the Red Sea, as well as the situation in Asia and the Pacific.

Minister Iwaya expressed his recognition that, as the international security environment becomes increasingly severe and the balance of power in the Middle East region undergoes major changes, Saudi Arabia's diplomatic role in working towards peace and stability in the Middle East region is becoming increasingly important. He also expressed Japan's determination to continue its diplomatic efforts for peace and stability in the Middle East region, while cooperating with Saudi Arabia and other concerned countries.

In response, Minister Faisal explained Saudi Arabia's efforts towards a “Two-State Solution” to the Palestinian issue and reconstruction in Syria, and while expressing appreciation for Japan's efforts to date, he expressed his hopes that Japan would play an even more active role.

The two ministers reaffirmed to continue to strengthen their cooperation, making use of regional and international frameworks such as the GCC.


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