Al-Raya, The Peninsula Highlight Qatari-Japanese Strategic Partnership, Constructive Dialogue

Doha, August 24 (QNA) - In their editorials on Monday, Al-Raya and The Peninsula newspapers commended the level of strategic partnership to which the Qatari-Japanese relations have reached - the culmination of 50 years of close relations between the two countries at all levels. In this regard, the papers affirmed the State of Qatar's keenness in enhancing these relations and expanding them at all levels, pointing out that next year will witness the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations between Qatar and Japan by holding cultural and sports events in the two countries. The paper also noted the promising mutual endeavor to develop and enhance bilateral cooperation to raise the level of close interdependence between the two countries in visions and ideas towards bilateral, Asian and international issues. For its part, Al-Raya newspaper said in its editorial that over the past years, the relations between the two countries have been constantly developing, and today they have reached the level of strategic integration between the two friendly countries, as the visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to Japan in 2019 constituted a qualitative leap for the Qatari-Japanese relations, during which a joint declaration on the establishment of a strategic dialogue was signed. The paper highlighted the official opening session of the first strategic dialogue between the governments of the State of Qatar and Japan, which was held yesterday at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani met with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Toshimitsu Motegi and his accompanying delegation, adding that bilateral relations between the two countries were reviewed during the meeting. The paper added that what binds Doha and Tokyo is decades of well-established partnership based on energy and oil and gas supplies, while in recent years the two countries have embarked on diversifying areas of cooperation to include comprehensive vital sectors - especially as they are steadily developing, as Qatar and Japan are indispensable trading partners, and their partnership will continue to expand to new areas of cooperation, such as security, science, technology, education and sports. Al-Raya concluded its editorial by saying that the Qatari-Japanese relations are not limited to trade and economy, but also thrive at the humanitarian level that connects the two countries with strong bonds, as Tokyo considers Qatar a true friend, especially after the aid and assistance that Qatar had provided to help Japan recover from the Great East Japan Earthquake. For its part, Qatari English-language The Peninsula newspaper affirmed that the State of Qatar and Japan are witnessing a milestone in their decades-old relations by marking the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries next year. In this regard, the Qatari daily said that HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and HE Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi chaired the official opening session of the first strategic dialogue between the State of Qatar and Japan, launching of which was signed during the visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to Japan in January 2019. The paper underlined that HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs praised the fruitful cooperation and friendship between the two countries and reiterated the State of Qatar's keenness to strengthen and expand these relations in all levels. His Excellency also expressed the country's interest in celebrating the golden jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations by holding cultural and sports events in the two countries, the newspaper added. The Peninsula pointed to HE Japanese Foreign Minister's affirmation that his country is linked to a comprehensive partnership with the State of Qatar with cooperation in various fields, especially in the energy sector. He noted the signing of several agreements in the fields of economy, trade, investment, legal affairs, culture and sports during the visit of HH the Amir to Japan, the paper said. Over half a century, the relations between Qatar and Japan have grown to the level of a strategic partnership, the Qatari daily said, pointing out that Qatar is number one trade partner of Japan and liquefied natural gas (LNG) forms a major part of the bilateral trade and that Qatar is also the third biggest crude supplier to Japan. The newspaper affirmed that the bilateral relations are not limited to business and trade as both countries proved several times that they are true friends in need. After the tsunami and the Fukushima disaster which wreaked havoc in Japan, Doha established the Qatar Friendship Fund, which donated $100 million to Japan for reconstruction projects, the paper said, adding that Qatar has opened a Qatar Science Campus in Sendai city and a Qatar Sports Park in Shirakawa. In conclusion, The Peninsula underlined that cultural relations between the two countries also have grown leaps and bounds in the past years, stressing that these ties will definitely witness further progress with the 50th year celebrations in the two countries, bringing cultures of both countries closer. (QNA)