(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to the sultanate on January 9 and 10 was marked by his meeting with His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and the joint statement on comprehensive partnership between Oman and Japan. His Majesty the Sultan also conferred the Oman Civil Order 'Second Class' on the Japanese Prime Minister and hosted a dinner in his honour.
During his several meetings, Abe expressed Japan's appreciation for Oman's generous and humanitarian support in response to the 2011 earthquake. Both sides showed satisfaction at the growing bilateral relations, and efforts to further strengthen them in all fields.
The joint statement issued covered a diverse range of topics.
Both sides welcomed the signing of a memorandum on Policy Dialogue and Consultations to continually exchange views on bilateral, regional and international issues.
Acknowledging the importance of security of sea routes in global peace, both sides agreed on strengthening their maritime partnerships based upon fundamental principles as the rule of law, peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with relevant international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
In this regard, Abe expressed Japan's appreciation towards Oman's cooperation in maintaining anti-piracy activities. Looking at the geopolitical importance of Oman, both sides shared the need to strengthen their cooperation on maritime security including anti-piracy operations. Prime Minister Abe stressed his resolve to even more actively contribute to peace and stability in the world including the Middle East in accordance with the policy of 'Proactive Contribution to Peace'.
His Majesty the Sultan welcomed this resolve and confirmed the importance of the continuing efforts of the sultanate by working with the international community in securing a peaceful and stable passage in the Gulf region. In this regard, both sides expressed their intention to promote defence exchanges at various levels.
Both sides, members of the Executive Council of the Middle East Desalination Research Centre (MEDRC), stressed the importance of providing continuous support and funding to the centre. The sides will further discuss visa exemption to diplomats and officials. Both sides acknowledged the importance of the Japan-GCC strategic dialogue at the ministerial level.
Abe welcomed Oman's continuous endeavor to supply oil and LNG to Japan. The energy sector will be strengthened by utilising Japan's advanced technologies. Both sides welcomed the signing of an MoU on cooperation on technology and research between Japan Oil Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) and Oman's Ministry of Oil and Gas.
The statement also hailed the agreement on avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to income taxes. Negotiations will resume on the Free Trade Agreement between Japan and GCC.
The statement also covered investments in Independent Power & Water Projects (IPP, IWPP, IWP), tourism, food and culture, technology exchange in the healthcare sector and businesses.
Both sides welcomed growing cooperation between the Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development (PAIPED) and Japan Cooperation Centre for the Middle East (JCCME) and their intention to hold the Oman Investment Forum in Tokyo this year. The countries will work on further Japan-Arab cooperation based on the outcomes of the third Japan-Arab Economic Forum held in Tokyo in December 2013.
Japan said that it was looking forward to the symposium of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Academic Chairs in Tokyo in October this year. It was hoped that the number of Omani students in Japan's institutions will increase. Oman too invited Japanese students to enroll at the Sultan Qaboos College for Teaching Arabic Language to Non-Native Speakers. The statement said that efforts towards offering introductory Japanese language courses at the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) will further promote Japanese language education in Oman.
Both sides reiterated the importance of strengthening cultural and youth exchange between the two countries and of the cooperation in the field of developing the youth's talent and the exchange of expertise in fields such as the handicrafts industries. They also expressed their appreciation for the role that the friendship societies between the two countries play in regards to enhancing these exchanges.
The tie-up between the National Archives of Japan and Oman's National Records and Archives Authority for specialised training in preservation and restoration of archives will boost cultural ties, the statement said.
His Majesty the Sultan congratulated Japan for winning the bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020.
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