On March 5, DPJ President Banri Kaieda received a courtesy call from Ambassadors representing the Arab League nations, led by Ambassador Waleed Siam, Representative of the Permanent General Mission of Palestine in Japan. The meeting was also attended by Executive Office Director-General Satoshi Arai and International Department Director-General Kaname Tajima.
At the start of the meeting, Kaieda welcomed the Ambassadors to DPJ headquarters, and said, “I hear that you are here today to discuss events related to Arab Day.” He went on to say that the DPJ would like to cooperate in order to further develop relations between Japan and the Arab world.
Siam stated that “A strong Japanese presence [in the Middle East] is welcomed by the Arab peoples,” expressing a strong wish to strengthen friendly relations with Japan, as well as urging Japan to further develop the role she plays in the Middle East. Following this, the Ambassadors of Bahrain, Oman and Morocco explained about events planned for Arab Week, and their hopes for the positive effect it would have on relations between Japan and the Arab nations, with discussions touching on events relating to Arab culture and art and a planned symposium.
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