Egypt and Japan signed a preliminary strategic partnership framework and a diplomatic training agreement in Tokyo on Wednesday, June 3.
The document outlining the preliminary framework for the third session of the Egypt-Japan bilateral strategic dialogue was signed during the official visit to Japan that began the previous day by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, who was there to participate.
The meeting, which continued on Thursday, June 4, was co-chaired by Abdelatty and his Japanese counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi.
During a separate meeting, Abdelatty also delivered a message from President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, focusing on “strengthening the strategic partnership announced in April 2023.”
During the meeting, the Egyptian Foreign Minister praised “the remarkable development of Egyptian-Japanese relations,” expressing Egypt’s desire to make continuous progress in the various mechanisms of bilateral cooperation.
For her part, the Japanese Prime Minister highly praised “Egypt’s tireless efforts to de-escalate tensions, promote peace, and support security and stability in the region.”
“Egypt offers strategic solutions to Japanese companies seeking to diversify their production facilities and supply chains,” stated Abdelatty, highlighting the country’s structural reforms in the face of global geopolitical tensions.
During his meeting with his Japanese counterpart, the Minister reviewed developments in Egypt’s business environment thanks to the economic reform programme.
He emphasized the country’s “competitive advantages,” foremost among them its strategic location, which allows it to “establish itself as a regional manufacturing and export hub for Arab, African, and European markets, leveraging a vast network of free trade agreements.”
The discussions also highlighted the partnership supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Japan has established itself as a key partner in supporting efforts to reform the education system in Egypt, particularly through the expansion of Egyptian-Japanese Schools (EJS) and the development of the Egyptian-Japanese University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) in Alexandria.
Abdelatty called for building upon these shared successes, including in the strategic sectors of health, transportation, and energy.
The two ministers also discussed triangular cooperation in Africa and the implementation of the outcomes of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).
On the geopolitical front, the minister outlined Egypt’s vision for ending the war in the Middle East, detailing the situation in the Gaza Strip, Sudan, and the Horn of Africa.
AK/Sf/fss/gik/APA