Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Official Web Site
Riyadh
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Dr. Afrah Al-Zouba, received today the Ambassador of Japan to Yemen, Yoichi Nakashima, to discuss bilateral relations between the two friendly nations and explore ways to enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
At the outset of the meeting, the Foreign Minister expressed her deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to the government and people of Japan for the victims of the earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured, the safe recovery of the missing, and a swift resolution to the impact of this disaster.
The Minister commended the Japanese government’s supportive stance toward Yemen in the fields of development, capacity building, food security, healthcare, and education, as well as development projects implemented through United Nations agencies. She affirmed the Yemeni government’s keenness to expand cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in development and reconstruction efforts.
Minister Al-Zouba also addressed the latest developments in Yemen and the Houthi threats to international navigation and global commerce. She underscored the necessity of protecting maritime passageways and supporting Yemeni state institutions, while reaffirming the Republic of Yemen’s welcome of the launch of the multinational defensive maritime coalition led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, describing it as a crucial step toward enhancing navigational security and stability in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
For his part, the Japanese Ambassador reaffirmed his country’s support for the Yemeni government and people, emphasizing Japan’s commitment to continuing its assistance across the economic, humanitarian, and development sectors.