Countries & Regions
Prime Minister Abe's Visit to the United Arab Emirates
(May 1 to May 2)
May 2, 2013
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, from Wednesday, May 1to Thursday, May 2. An outline of the visit is as follows:
- Major Events
May 1 (Wednesday)
(1) Meeting with H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahya, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
(2) Dinner hosted by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed
May 2 (Thursday)
(1) Japan-UAE Business Forum and talks with its major participants
(2) Visit to Dubai Metro
(3) Meeting with H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and luncheon hosted by him
(4) Signing Ceremony of the Japan-UAE double taxation convention and nuclear cooperation agreement
(5) Courtesy call from H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor
- Outline and Results of Visit
(1) May 1 (Wednesday)
(a) Meeting with H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahya, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
Prime Minister Abe held a meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince General Sheikh Mohammed for approximately 40 minutes from 7:40 p.m. They decided to expand the multilayered partnership between the two countries and to build a comprehensive partnership over a broad range of fields including politics, economy, and cultural and human exchanges.
«Politics»
The two sides decided to hold frequent high-level consultations between their ministries of foreign affairs and security dialogues between representatives of their foreign and defense ministries at vice minister or director-general levels. Emphasizing the importance of the G8 Deauville Partnership, Prime Minister Abe unveiled a policy to extend assistance totaling 2.2 billion dollars to ensure stability in the Middle East and North Africa . Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed praised his policy.
«Economy»
Prime Minister Abe expressed gratitude to the UAE for its stable energy supply and asked for its continuous commitment .He also said that Japan can make a contribution in areas such as energy conservation, renewable energy and nuclear power. He also called attention to the importance of infrastructure development, as well as cooperation in the medical field and human resources development. Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed shared the view with him.
«Cultural and Human Exchanges»
Stressing the importance of developing the human resources of younger generations, Prime Minister Abe said the Japanese school in Abu Dhabi will accept more UAE students and Japan is ready to accept 500 students from the UAE over the next five years to study in Japan. The two sides decided to strengthen cooperation in education. Prime Minister Abe invited Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed to visit Japan to promote bilateral human exchanges, and the Crown Prince said he would like to meet the Prime Minister in Japan. Prime Minister Abe explained plans to reciprocally waive entry- visa for holders of diplomatic and official passports and issue of multiple-entry visas to holders of ordinal passports such as tourists. Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed highly appreciated that decision.
(b) Dinner Hosted by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed
Prime Minister Abe attended a dinner hosted by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed for approximately an hour and 10 minutes from 8:20 p.m. Prime Minister Abe explained progress in bilateral collaboration to promote industry diversification and unveiled a new program offered by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to set up a new program for cooperation in human resources development. He said Mr. Taku Eto, Senior Vice Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, had presented Miyazaki beef to the UAE, and Mr. Hiroshige Seko, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, had presented tuna cultured in a full-cycle farming program. The two sides also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East.
(2) May 2 (Thursday)
(a) Japan-UAE Business Forum and Talks with Major Participants
Prime Minister Abe attended the Japan-UAE Business Forum for approximately 45 minutes from 9 a.m. In opening remarks, he discussed the diversified cooperation between Japan and the UAE in the energy field, improvements in the business environment, and cooperation on culture and education. He also stressed Japan's plans to seek greater cooperation in the medical field and to promote Japanese food. Prime Minister Abe also held talks with major participants in the forum such as Suhail bin Mohammed Al-Mazroui, Energy Minister of the UAE, Abdullah Al Masood, Chairman of the National Advisory Council of Abu Dhabi; Mohamed Thani Al Rumaithi, Chairman of the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and Hamad Al Hurr Al Suwaidi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Finance. Approximately 600 people from the public and private sectors of Japan and the UAE participated in the Japan-UAE Business Forum and they actively exchanged views on issues such as energy, the fostering of industries, infrastructure development, education, medical services and food.
(b) Visit to Dubai Metro
During a visit to Dubai, Prime Minister Abe had a hands-on experience with Dubai Metro. During a ride from Al Rashidiya Station to Burj Khalifa Station, he received explanation from Mr. Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director, Roads & Transport Authority Dubai.
(c) Meeting with UAE Vice President and Prime Minister SheikhMohammed and luncheon hosted by him
Prime Minister Abe held a meeting with UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed at the Zabeel Palace in Dubai for approximately 40 minutes from 1:30 p.m. (Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed also attended). The two leaders decided to expand the multilayered partnership between Japan and the UAE and to strengthen partnerships in a broad range of fields based on the spirit of collaboration, co-existence and co-prosperity, and tolerance. In this regard, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE functions as a "gate way" for Japan and the Middle East and North Africa, noting that many people visit Dubai in search of Japanese products. Prime Minister Abe said Japan plans to reciprocally waive entry- visa for holders of diplomatic and official passports and to issue multiple-entry visas to holders of ordinal passports. Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed welcomed the decision as a great measure that will contribute to growth in the number of travelers between Japan and UAE and strengthen bilateral relations. When Prime Minister Abe asked for a further easing of import restrictions on Japanese food, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE will consider the request with a positive attitude. The two leaders issued the "Joint Statement on the Strengthening of the Comprehensive Partnership between Japan and the UAE towards Stability and Prosperity" (Gist / Full Text in English), and announced a "Fact Sheet on the Strengthening of the Comprehensive Partnership towards Stability and Prosperity" (Full Text in English) as well as a "Fact Sheet: List of Memoranda of Japan-UAE Cooperation" (Full Text in English).
At a luncheon, the two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations and regional situations.
(d) Signing Ceremony of the Japan-UAE Tax Convention and Nuclear Agreement
After the meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed, Prime Minister Abe witnessed the signing of the Japan-UAE Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income, by Mr. Yoshihiko Kamo, Ambassador of Japan to the UAE, and Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs of the UAE. He also witnessed the signing of the Japan-UAE Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, by Ambassador Kamo and H.E. Ambassador Hamad Al Kaabi, the UAE's Permanent Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as a memorandum of understanding on the translation and publication of Japanese books.
(e) Courtesy Call from H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, NationalSecurity Advisor
Prime Minister Abe received a courtesy call from H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan for approximately 5 minutes from 4:50 p.m. They discussed bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy and medicine.
(END)