Prince Faisal: Maritime security remains top priority for Saudi Arabia, Japan

RIYADH —Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan held talks with Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh on Wednesday. The ministers held their third strategic dialogue meeting. In his opening remarks, Prince Faisal underscored the strong and longstanding relationship between Saudi Arabia and Japan, built on trust and mutual respect and spanning decades. The Saudi minister described Japan as an important economic partner for the Kingdom, expressing the Kingdom’s aspiration to further strengthen bilateral relations and capitalize on the economic opportunities available in both countries. “We see promising opportunities to expand cooperation in the areas of investment, energy, resources, supply chains, defense, technology, and the exchange of expertise and capabilities, which will support our priorities and achieve our shared goals.” Prince Faisal affirmed that the Kingdom will remain a reliable partner for Japan across various fields, including energy. He also commended Japan’s efforts and initiatives aimed at enhancing economic resilience and supporting the stability of global energy and trade markets. The Saudi minister said maritime security remains a top priority for both countries, stressing the importance of protecting freedom of navigation across all international waterways in accordance with international law. He also emphasized the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, and all maritime routes open, safe, and free from threats.“The Kingdom continues its efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent the resurgence of conflicts by focusing on comprehensive and sustainable diplomatic solutions that address the sources of instability in our region. We affirm that diplomacy, dialogue, and peaceful means remain our priorities, and we appreciate Japan’s role in supporting the principles of international law, its humanitarian and developmental contributions, and its stances in support of stability and peaceful solutions,” he said.Saudi Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi bin Faisal bin Zaqr and Director General of the Asian Countries Department Ambassador Nasser Al-Ghanoum also attended the meeting.