Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, met in Tokyo on 02 September with Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada at the headquarters of the Japanese Defense Ministry in Tokyo.
During the meeting, they reviewed opportunities of enhancing cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fields of defense and military. They also discussed the latest developments in the Middle East, Saudi Press Agency SPA reported.
The Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Japanese Minister of Defense witnessed a signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of defense between the Saudi Defense Ministry and the Japanese Defense Ministry.
On Thursday, he met Japanese Emperor Akihito and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as both countries said they were looking forward to broader cooperation. Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito also received the Saudi Prince at his palace (photo).
During the meeting, they discussed the relations between the two countries, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The Saudi Prince was on a three-leg Asia tour that has taken him to Pakistan, China and Japan.
“Even if the visit to Pakistan was short and lasted only three hours, its effects on the security issues is highly significant,” Saudi media commented.
The meeting between Prince Mohammad and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday “pledged to further enhance the ties between the two brotherly countries and strengthen their cooperation in diverse fields,” the Pakistani media reported.
According to Saudis, the ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were a “genuine embodiment of the Islamic relations needed to confront the challenges to either country”.
“The common stances adopted by both countries in the past will therefore remain strong in the future thanks to the support and efforts of their leaders and peoples.”
According to Sabq, the visit to China that started last Monday aimed, among other things, to change the prevailing economic pattern with the international giant and to encourage investments and broaden partnerships.
During the visit, Saudi Arabia and China signed 17 agreements and memoranda of understanding.
Defense cooperation was among the top topics discussed by Prince Mohammad with Chinese officials.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding, China will build 100,000 housing units in the area of Al Ahsa.
Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC), along with Shenhua Ningxia Coal Industry Group Co Ltd (SNCG) and the Government of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China, have agreed on a set of principles for cooperation on the development of a potential joint venture between SABIC and SNCG to build a greenfield coal-to-chemicals complex.
Following the three-day visit to China, Prince Mohammad late on Wednesday led his delegation to Japan where they discussed ideas that could offer new economic opportunities for both countries.
