A joint statement issued today after a visit paid by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The two countries expressed deep satisfaction over the great developments in their bilateral relations in the political, economic and cultural fields. Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said they were looking forward towards enhancing full partnership between the two countries in all fields in order to achieve the common interests of the two friendly countries. Following is the text of the joint statement: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 20-21/6/1434H. corresponding to 30 April-1 May 2013. Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on bilateral issues and issues of common interest. The two countries expressed deep satisfaction over the significant developments in their bilateral relations in the political, economic and cultural fields. The two sides were looking forward towards enhancing full partnership between the two countries in all fields in order to achieve the common interests of the two friendly countries. The two sides underscored the importance of cooperation and consultation as follows: Enhancing high-level political consultations between the two countries. They shared desire to promote security dialogue, including regional situations, maritime security, maritime lines security, piracy, nuclear non-proliferation, combating terrorism, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and a number of other issues. The two sides expressed desire to develop and exchange views on the situation of international terrorism and fight against piracy and discussed the possibility of cooperation and coordination between the two countries in this regard. The two sides welcomed the defense cooperation between the two countries and a continuation of visits at the level of senior officials between the armed forces of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Japanese Self-Defense Force. The two sides underscored the importance of urging all countries of the Middle East to join the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and making the Middle East the Gulf a nuclear and mass destruction weapons free zone and support the international efforts being exerted to solve the Iranian nuke program issue. They urged Iran to positively respond to these efforts to rub out regional and international skepticism towards its nuclear program and urged for its full implementation of the UN Security Council and the International Agency for Atomic Energy relevant resolutions. Japan's Prime Minister expressed thanks to and appreciation of the leadership of Saudi Arabia for the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to him and his accompanying delegation.
