ولي العهد السعودي الأمير سلمان بن عبدالعزيز

Emperor Akihito welcomed Prince Salman at the Tokyo Imperial Palace where also he hosted a luncheon in honor of the Saudi leader and the accompanying delegation. (Al Arabiya)

Saudi Crown Prince meets with Japanese emperor

The two officials discussed a number of international and regional issues of joint interest

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Mohammed Tomaihi‎, Tokyo

Published: 19 February ,2014: 12:00 AM GST Updated: 20 May ,2020: 10:42 AM GST

Saudi Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud held talks Wednesday with Japan’s emperor on the second day of the Saudi official’s state visit to Tokyo.

Emperor Akihito welcomed Prince Salman at the Tokyo Imperial Palace where also he hosted a luncheon in honor of the Saudi leader and the accompanying delegation.

During talks, Prince Salman expressed King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz’s appreciation for Emperor Akihito.

Prince Salman, who is also the kingdom’s deputy prime minister and defense minister, also met Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The two officials discussed a number of international and regional issues of joint interest. Talks also focused on all available means of boosting and developing ties between the two states.

The discussions were followed by a signing ceremony in the presence of the two officials.

Prince Salman arrived in Japan Tuesday as part of a four-day official visit.

In comments carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency after his arrival in Tokyo, Prince Salman said the visit comes within the “framework of the historical and close ties between the countries.”

He stressed that the kingdom remained keen on continuing discussions and coordination on matters of joint interest at the regional and international levels “for the benefit of both countries and boosting their role in order to safeguard regional and international security and peace.”

The Saudi official expressed hope that his visit would help in developing ties between the two states and also praised Japan in implementing development projects in Saudi Arabia as well as for hosting Saudi students at universities and institutes on the island.

Prince Salman’s stay in Japan comes after a three-day state visit to Pakistan during which parties discussed international and regional developments, sought ways of boosting bilateral ties between Riyadh and Islamabad and signed several bi-lateral agreements.