On Thursday, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Mr. Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, hosted a meeting in Riyadh with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya. The discussions primarily focused on enhancing the potential for expanded cooperation between the Gulf nations and Japan across various sectors, particularly in economic partnerships. The two parties looked into boosting commercial collaboration and increasing trade volumes to meet shared aspirations for augmented economic relations. The first round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the GCC and Japan, scheduled for December 2024, was also on the agenda.
During the meeting, Al-Budaiwi noted that preparations are underway for the second round of negotiations to take place in Tokyo at the end of June. He emphasized the significance that GCC states place on this agreement due to the strong and distinguished ties that link the two regions. Furthermore, the meeting addressed the latest updates regarding the Joint Action Plan for the period from 2024 to 2028, which aims to deepen the strategic partnership between the GCC countries and Japan. This comprehensive plan seeks to enhance collaboration in vital areas such as energy, trade, investment, education, health, tourism, cultural exchange, and political coordination, while also evaluating current regional and global developments.
Minister Iwaya underlined the importance of the Gulf region as a crucial partner, not only for its role in maintaining energy security in Japan but also for its contributions to peace and stability both regionally and globally amid ongoing turmoil. He reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to its partnership with the GCC.
Both parties expressed satisfaction with the first round of negotiations for the Japanese-Gulf Economic Partnership Agreement, which had taken place in December 2024. This initiative followed an agreement reached between former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and GCC Secretary-General Al-Budaiwi to resume talks during their meeting in July 2023. They expressed a mutual desire to exert efforts toward achieving a conclusive agreement soon.
The discussions also highlighted the intention to enhance bilateral cooperation across a broad spectrum of sectors, including politics, security, trade, and investment. This initiative flows from the Joint Action Plan adopted during the inaugural meeting of the Japanese Foreign Minister and GCC Ministers of Foreign Affairs in September 2023. In line with this, both parties agreed to coordinate on holding a second meeting of the foreign ministers.
In addition, they exchanged views regarding the current situations in the Middle East and East Asia, focusing on crises in Gaza, Syria, Iran, and the Red Sea. Both reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening relations between Japan and the GCC while maintaining close cooperation through the implementation of the Joint Action Plan.
The meeting represents a significant step in fostering deeper ties between the Gulf states and Japan, as both sides aim to leverage their shared goals in various domains. The ongoing dialogues and forthcoming negotiations signal a proactive approach to solidifying economic and strategic partnerships, ensuring that both regions can navigate the complexities of the contemporary geopolitical landscape together. This collaborative spirit is vital for addressing mutual challenges and unlocking new opportunities for growth and development in the future.
