Japanese Prime Minister praises Custodian of the Two Holy

Jeddah, June 24, SPA -- Prime Minister of Japan, Yasuo Fukuda
expressed his appreciation for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for his efforts to strengthen the
regional and international stability and prosperity, particularly in
the Gulf region and the Middle East and for his wise leadership of
the interior and foreign affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In a letter handed over to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
here yesterday by the Minister of Economy and Trade of Japan, Akira
Amari, the Japanese Prime Minister expressed his concern over the
situation of the oil prices, describing them as becoming a direct
threat to the entire world economy. To this effect, he said "From
this perspective, the meeting of energy ministers of producing and
consuming countries which was held under your patronage is very
important. Your kind invitation to hold this high-level meeting at
this time, is an indicator to your wise view because of the need to
discuss the development of the current tragic oil prices between the
producing and consuming countries".

The Japanese Prime Minister expressed his belief that Jeddah Energy
Meeting will provide significant support for the G8 Summit to be held
in Japan in July 2008.

He valued the bilateral relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia in
all aspects and at different levels.

He invited the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to visit Tokyo in
the near future for further consolidation of bilateral relations
between the two countries.