Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Sultan completed a three-day visit to Tokyo, the first leg of travels that will also take him on to Singapore and Pakistan.  While in Tokyo the Crown Prince met with Prime Minister Koizumi and other officials to discuss the broad spectrum of Saudi-Japanese relations.  They concluded a memorandum of understanding on political consultations and noted the agreement to open free trade talks between Japan and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

As a follow-up to the SUSRIS IOI several days ago describing the Crown Prince's visit, today we are pleased to present reporting from Khaled Almaenna of Arab News on the Tokyo meetings.  His article is followed by excerpts of other reports on Crown Prince Sultan's visit and links to related reports.

Khaled Almaenna, Arab News

TOKYO, 7 April 2006 � Saudi Arabia and Japan yesterday called for a Middle East free of nuclear weapons and wanted diplomacy to end the row over Iran�s nuclear program. Crown Prince Sultan and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi issued the joint call after official talks in Tokyo.

�Both sides stressed the importance of urging all the states in the Middle East to accede to the Non-Proliferation Treaty of nuclear weapons and making the Middle East region free from all weapons of mass destruction and their delivery means,� a joint statement said.

The crown prince and Koizumi �confirmed the importance of supporting the international diplomatic efforts that aim at non-proliferation of nuclear weapons as well as working for a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.�

The joint statement also called for finding a just and lasting solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, adding that such a solution was essential to reinforce peace and stability in the Middle East. It also emphasized the need for accepting the results of Palestinian elections held in January 2006 as a step toward the formation of an independent Palestinian state.

Sultan and Koizumi also pledged to cooperate on Iraq, supporting its �stability and territorial integrity and promoting its national unity and equality among all groups of the Iraqi people.�

Sultan promised that the Kingdom would do what is needed to meet Japan�s energy requirements. Koizumi noted Saudi Arabia�s vital role in stabilizing the international oil market, being the world�s largest oil producer and exporter.

During his meeting with Koizumi, Prince Sultan expressed satisfaction over the progress in bilateral relations over the past years, wishing that the ties would grow stronger in coming years.

The crown prince and Koizumi later witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding for political consultation. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Nizar Madani and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso signed the agreement.

Keiichi Konaga, chairman of the Saudi-Japanese Friendship Society on the Japanese side, briefed Koizumi on the society�s activities and its efforts in promoting Saudi-Japanese ties.

Konaga noted the initiative taken by Sultan to establish the organization in 1960 when he first visited Japan. Sultan gave $500,000 to the society as a donation from the Saudi government.

Sultan, who arrived here on Wednesday on a three-day visit, met separately with Emperor Akihito at the imperial palace. Crown Prince Naruhito was present at the palace to receive the Saudi crown prince and his delegation.

Talking to Prince Sultan, Akihito underscored the historic relations between the two countries. �Your royal highness� present visit is an affirmation of our deep-rooted relations,� he said.

The emperor hoped that the royal visit would take Saudi-Japanese ties to new heights.

In his speech, Prince Sultan thanked the emperor for the warm reception accorded to him and his delegation.

�We in Saudi Arabia are proud of the friendly relations and cooperation with Japan,� the crown prince said.

He praised Japan�s important role in the region as well as in the world. �We wanted to expand our cooperation with Japan and work together to resolve Middle Eastern and international issues,� he added.

Akihito hosted a luncheon in honor of Prince Sultan, which was attended by top Saudi and Japanese officials including Saudi princes, Economy and Planning Minister Khaled Al-Gosaibi, Naruhito and Foreign Minister Aso.

The joint statement welcomed the decision to start free-trade negotiations between Japan and the Gulf Cooperation Council, which groups Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

Japan said yesterday it would launch free-trade talks with the GCC countries that provide three-quarters of its oil imports. According to a statement issued by the Trade Ministry in Tokyo, Japanese officials will meet their GCC counterparts in Riyadh next month to prepare for the negotiations.

�It is important to form and maintain friendly relations including economic ones with GCC states in terms of our country�s energy security and trade,� the ministry said in a statement.

Japan and GCC are expected to reach an FTA deal by 2008, according to business daily Nihon Keizai Shimbun. Japan hopes to use the talks to reduce the six states� five-percent tariffs on most imports and to help Japanese companies export more automobiles and construction machinery, the daily said.

In their joint statement, Sultan and Koizumi expressed their satisfaction over growing joint investments. Japan also welcomed the opening of a Saudi commercial office in Tokyo.

The two sides agreed to intensify their talks on prospects of expanding joint investment. They will also continue their talks to reach an agreement for the protection and promotion of investment. Saudi Arabia supported Japan�s move to become a permanent member of the Security Council.

The Japanese side voiced its support for a recent statement made by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, rejecting the idea of clash of civilizations and calling for peaceful coexistence of civilizations. The Saudi delegation praised Tokyo�s role in promoting cultural dialogue and understanding.

The Saudi crown prince also met with Trade Minister Toshihiro Nikai later in the day. On Wednesday, Nikai met Saudi minister Al-Gosaibi. �During the meeting, Al-Gosaibi called on Japan to boost investment and provide support for personnel training in his country,� an official said.

Prince Sultan received the chairman and members of the Japanese Muslim Association here Wednesday. Omar Takashi, senior adviser to the organization, highlighted Saudi Arabia�s important role in the Islamic world and its efforts for the success of Islamic and Muslim causes.

Reprinted with permission of Arab News

For more: http://www.SUSRIS.org

Saudi-Japanese Ties Get Big Boost
Khaled Almaeena

Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, arrived here yesterday to a grand welcome which reflected the historic and cordial relations between the two countries.  He was welcomed at Haneda Airport by an unusually senior delegation headed by Crown Prince Naruhito, Foreign Minister Taro Aso and former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto.

�Peaceful Coexistence Need of Hour�
Khaled Almaeena

Crown Prince Sultan yesterday called for the peaceful coexistence of civilizations, saying humanity is badly in need of it to stop wars and occupation of others� land by force and prevent the spread of hate and enmity. Speaking at Tokyo�s prestigious Waseda University after receiving an honorary doctorate in law, Sultan also urged more cooperation in various areas of scientific research that will be of benefit to all humanity.  �We call upon the world community to intensify efforts in supporting peaceful and constructive coexistence among nations and the respect of the human being, as well as rejecting all forms of discrimination, violence, extremism and aggression,� he said.

Peace the Cornerstone of Saudi Foreign Policy
Khaled Almaeena

The visit of Crown Prince Sultan to Japan, Singapore and Pakistan comes within the context of Saudi Arabia�s active foreign policy with its Asian neighbors. The most important objective of this policy is to create stronger economic relationships and to strengthen existing political relationships with these nations, especially with Japan.  Both Riyadh and Tokyo have enjoyed 50 years of uninterrupted good relations; therefore, it is important that these relations be continuously revitalized. In a fast-moving world of dynamic geopolitical changes, world leaders should maintain constant communication.

Kingdom, Japan Call for N-Free Mideast
Khaled Almaeena

Saudi Arabia and Japan yesterday called for a Middle East free of nuclear weapons and wanted diplomacy to end the row over Iran�s nuclear program. Crown Prince Sultan and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi issued the joint call after official talks in Tokyo.  �Both sides stressed the importance of urging all the states in the Middle East to accede to the Non-Proliferation Treaty of nuclear weapons and making the Middle East region free from all weapons of mass destruction and their delivery means,� a joint statement said.

Eastward shift of Saudi perspective only makes sense
Editorial, Daily Star

In recent years, Saudi Arabia, which has long enjoyed a "special relationship" with the United States, has been expanding its strategic and economic alliances with other states. Since assuming the throne, King Abdullah bin Abdel-Aziz has been directing the kingdom's focus away from the West and toward the countries of the East. This shift was highlighted by the fact that King Abdullah's first foreign destination after assuming the throne in August 2005 was China. The monarch's first foreign tour - which also took him to India, Malaysia and Pakistan - symbolized the kingdom's shift away from its Westward orientation. This week Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdel-Aziz carried the kingdom's eastward thrust further in Tokyo, where he agreed to start talks on a free-trade agreement between Japan and the Gulf Cooperation Council. 

Japan, Saudi Arabia agree to launch FTA talks with GCC

Japan and Saudi Arabia agreed Thursday to launch negotiations on concluding a free trade agreement between Japan and the Gulf Cooperation Council, which consists of six oil producers in the Middle East including Saudi Arabia, Japanese officials said.

Saudis Look East for Higher Studies

Saudi Arabia announced [Mar. 12]  that it would send more students to Asian countries such as China, India, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea for higher studies in medicine, general science and engineering.  Higher Education Minister Khaled Al-Anqari said Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has approved the move, which comes in line with Riyadh�s new �look east� strategy.

• Saudi Arabia - Japan Relations - SUSRIS IOI - Apr. 5, 2006

• Saudis Look East for Higher Studies - SUSRIS IOI - Mar 13, 2006

• Announcement of Crown Prince Sultan's Visit to Japan

• China Visit Wrap-Up - SUSRIS NID - Jan. 27, 2006

• King Abdullah Prepares for China Visit - SUSRIS NID - Jan. 21, 2006

• Japan - Country Analysis Brief - EIA

• Japan - World Factbook

• Embassy of Japan in Saudi Arabia

• Saudi-Japan Relations - Japanese MOFA

• Japan External Trade Relations Office (JETRO) - Riyadh

• Saudi-Japanese Business Council

[for more SUSRIS items visit www.SUSRIS.org and use the site search engine to look for "relationship" ]