Cairo, 6 September 2023(TDI): Japan, Egypt, and Jordan’s trilateral ministerial consultation on the Middle East took place in Cairo, Egypt on September 5.
The meeting was hosted by Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, the event saw the participation of Hayashi Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan.
The significant results of this historic meeting are detailed in the Joint Statement issued by the Japan-Egypt-Jordan Trilateral Ministerial Consultations on the Middle East.
The Ministers underscored the importance of high-level regional dialogues like the Trilateral Consultations Mechanism, viewing them as pathways to enhance regional cooperation.
They emphasized the pivotal role of development and capacity building in addressing regional challenges.
Ministers committed to expanding trilateral cooperation across a wider range of areas, extending its benefits to more countries in the region.
They welcomed the success of pilot projects in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iraq as a promising start to a more ambitious cooperation mechanism.
Egypt and Jordan expressed their appreciation for the assistance provided by Japan and recognized the progress achieved thus far.
Read more: Japan-Jordan: 4th Foreign Ministers’ strategic dialogue
The Ministers discussed the importance of achieving peace, security, and stability in the Middle East.
They emphasized the preservation of the nation-state concept and adherence to the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Ministers reaffirmed the need for a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, including ending the Israeli occupation of all Palestinian and Arab territories since 1967, in line with relevant UN resolutions and the two-state solution.
The Ministers supported the right to self-determination for the Palestinian people and condemned Israeli settlement activities.
They called for the preservation of the historical status quo in the Holy Sites of occupied East Jerusalem and applauded Egypt’s efforts to sponsor Palestinian reconciliation.
The Ministers emphasized the crucial role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in assisting Palestinian refugees.
They called for sustained funding from a diversified donor base and encouraged international support for the agency.
The Ministers welcomed an upcoming ministerial meeting hosted by Jordan and Sweden on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly to mobilize support for UNRWA.
The Ministers emphasized the importance of maintaining UNRWA’s current mandate and its exclusive responsibility for providing services to refugees.
Ministers agreed to convene the Second Trilateral Ministerial Meeting to strengthen their cooperation further.
