UAE signs six economic pacts with Japan

Tokyo: The UAE and Japan signed six agreements and memoranda of understanding yesterday, on the sidelines of the visit of General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to Japan, which started on Sunday.

The agreements include financing the Fujairah 2 project, the financing of projects of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), a memorandum of understanding on promoting investment opportunities and an agreement on developing solar towers.

Shaikh Mohammad called on Japanese companies and investors to benefit from the liberal policies and economic openness to set up strategic partnerships with Abu Dhabi's investors and businessmen.

The call was made by Shaikh Mohammad during his meeting with Emperor Akihito and Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.

Fukuda stressed the distinguished political, econ-omic and commercial ties between the UAE and Japan, which have witnessed great developments during the last few years.

He also referred to the positive outcome of both his previous visit to the UAE in September last and the visit of the former prime minister of Japan, which took place last April.

Both visits enhanced bilateral relations, and increased commercial exchange between the two countries. He also referred to the fact that the UAE has the largest expatriate Jap-anese group in the Middle East and Africa.

Shaikh Mohammad said that relations with Japan are regarded highly, as they develop in a rapid manner.

He also said that the flourishing bonds between the two countries stress the deep relations and reflect the bilateral interests binding the two countries.

During the meeting with Emperor Akihito, Shaikh Mohammad conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Japan, the emperor said, highly values the importance attached to the UAE-Japanese relations by Shaikh Khalifa.

Commenting on the visit of Shaikh Mohammad to Japan, Akihito stressed the importance of such visits, saying that they would boost the already strong relations between the two countries. "Your visit to Japan has added more vibrancy to the UAE-Japanese relations, which are getting stronger by the day," said the emperor.

Co-operation

For his part, Shaikh Mohammad said the UAE was proud of its relations with Japan, adding that his country's leadership is fully satisfied with the current level of bilateral cooperation in various areas.

Meanwhile, Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nah-yan, Foreign Minister, yesterday met Japanese Foreign Minister, Masahiko Komora. They discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them.

The Japanese minister said that his country regards its relationship with the UAE on a very high scale due to its progress in sectors other than oil and its prevalence on the regional and international levels, making the partnership between the two countries a great success.