Arab League Secretary General Ahmad Aboul Gheit on Sunday affirmed significance of the historic bonds between the Arab world and Japan emphasizing the League's keenness on promoting cooperation with Tokyo to broader levels. Aboul Gheit, during a reception of the visiting Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, affirmed to resolve to cement the ties with Tokyo, in light of the Arab-Japanese Economic Forum, founded in 2009, and the Arab-Japanese memorandum of cooperation in the political sector, worked out in 2013. A statement issued by the Arab League added that the talks between the two sides dealt with international issues, namely the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Sudan. The Arab League chief expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for consecutive financial aid allotted for the UNRWA, the UN agency that cares for Palestinian refugees. Aboul Gheit expressed his appreciation for Japan's various contributions to peace and stability in the Arab region, including its support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA. The talks, the statement elaborated, touched on the war in Ukraine and the Palestinian question. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international situations including Ukraine, the Middle East Peace and Sudan. They confirmed that they will continue to deepen cooperation between Japan and the Arab world towards maintaining and strengthening the international order based on the rule of law in close cooperation with Aboul Gheit. The two sides concurred to hold the third meeting of the Japan-Arab Political Dialogue in September this year to promote further collaboration and cooperation between Japan and the Arab world. For his part, the Japanese prime minister indicated at a tentative plan to hold the ministerial Arab-Japanese dialogue in September. Kishida expressed his hope that Japan would further expand its relations with Arab countries in political, economic, cultural and various other fields. Touching upon Russia's aggression against Ukraine, Prime Minister Kishida expressed his desire to strengthen the international order based on the rule of law, working hand in hand with people in Arab countries. He stated the Arab countries are important friends of Japan, against any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force. In response, a representative to the League of Arab States expressed their appreciation and respect for Japan's contribution so far. Kishida and Aboul Gheit agreed Sunday that the third meeting of the Japan-Arab Political Dialogue, a ministerial forum, will be held in September. The agreement was reached at their meeting held during the Japanese leader's visit to the headquarters in Cairo of the Arab League, formally called the League of Arab States. Kishida told Aboul Gheit that Japan is eager to continue making contributions to the peace and stability of the Middle East and the international community. The Arab League leader expressed gratitude for Japan's contributions to the Arab region's peace and stability. The first meeting of the ministerial dialogue framework took place in Cairo in September 2017. The second meeting was held online in April 2021. — Agencies
