Memorandum on Policy Consultations
between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain

April 11, 2012

Japanese

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain,

Desiring to contribute to further deepening and strengthening the multifaceted relations and cooperation between the two countries;

Wishing to promote political, economic, commercial, cultural, scientific, technical and technological cooperation between the two countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit;

Conscious of the usefulness of consultations and exchange of views on bilateral relations and international issues of common interest on a regular basis between the two countries at different levels;

Have decided as follows:

1. Both sides intend to hold consultations on a regular basis to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, any other developments taking place in the regional and international arena, as well as bilateral relations from a broader and strategic perspective.



2. The agenda of the consultations on bilateral relations will include all areas such as political, economic, commercial, cultural, scientific, technical and technological cooperation.



3. The consultations will be held, in principle, once a year or when necessary, alternately in Tokyo and in Manama, at the Ministerial level or at the level of senior officials designated by the Ministers. The date, venue and agenda of the consultations will be determined prior to each meeting through diplomatic channels on the initiative of either side.



4. The composition of the delegation of each side will be determined according to the agenda. Both sides may seek by mutual consent participation from other ministries or agencies and may establish, when they deem it necessary, sub-committees or permanent or ad hoc working groups, to deal with specific issues.



5. The consultations will be conducted in a flexible manner so as to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Signed in Tokyo on 11th April, 2012, in duplicate in the Japanese, Arabic and English languages. In the event of any divergence in interpretation, the English text will be referred to.