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| HE the Minister of Energy and Industry, Dr Mohamed Saleh al-Sada, holding talks with Koichiro Gemba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and his accompanying delegation. Talks during the meeting covered co-operation between Qatar and Japan and other matters of mutual interest |
Qatar has expressed its commitment to maintaining oil and gas price stability and promoting Japan’s energy security and established a framework for regional and international policy co-operation during a visit of Koichiro Gemba, Japanese Foreign Minister, which concluded yesterday.
According to a spokesman for Japan’s foreign ministry who addressed a press conference, Koichiro Gemba requested that Qatar continue to provide the necessary crude oil and LNG to help meet Japan’s requirements, especially after the natural disaster last year.
Japan has also imposed sanctions on Iran in December due to concerns over its nuclear programme. An embargo on Iranian oil means that Japan will need to find alternative sources for 9% of its crude oil supply. Qatar currently provides 10% of Japan’s crude, while Saudi Arabia provides 30% and the UAE 24-25%.
While no exact figures were discussed in Gemba’s meeting with HE the Minister of Energy and Industry Dr Mohamed Saleh al-Sada, a framework has been laid out for expert level discussions between energy officials from both countries to determine what steps, if any, are necessary to maintain market price stability and Japan’s energy security.
Japan is currently trying to formulate a new energy policy, which is expected to be announced by this summer. The spokesman said that there is a consensus in Japan that there should be a reduced reliance on nuclear energy, meaning that in the short to mid-term there will be a need to rely on other energy sources including fossil fuels.
In a meeting with HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah, Gemba acknowledged the positive role Qatar has played in recent regional events and its growing position as a key diplomatic player. The ministers agreed to establish a framework for high level official policy dialogue, acknowledging that co-operation between the two countries needs to advance beyond just oil and gas.
Given recent regional events and growing tension with Iran, Japan is looking to enhance policy dialogue with Middle Eastern countries, with Gemba visiting Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the UAE before coming to Qatar. Japan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said that the Middle East is important to Japan as 90% of its crude oil comes from the region, along with 20% of its LNG.
The ministers also discussed co-operation in Qatar’s infrastructure development projects and the possibility of co-operation in projects contributing to the 2022 World Cup, including stadiums.
This is the first visit of a Japanese minister to Qatar in 11 years, with this year marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Gamba met HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser to discuss a number of issues, including Qatar Foundation’s support for events commemorating the 40th anniversary milestone.
According to the Japanese foreign ministry spokesman, Gemba explained to Sheikha Moza that Japan is now trying to promote the development of high level environmental technology, to which she responded by saying that she is particularly interested in working with Japan in the area of photo-voltaic solar energy. She said that she is interested in conducting a joint development partnership in this area, and Gemba promised that Japan will consider such a proposal.
The spokesman said that there is already a joint Qatar-Japan Commission which is an appropriate forum that will see future collaborations proposed and formulated in this and other areas.
