Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, held talks in Abu Dhabi on Monday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, reported the UAE news agency (WAM). Discussions focused on bilateral relations and ways to bolster them in all fields. They also tackled the situation in the Arab Gulf and Middle East, as well as regional and international affairs. Sheikh Mohamed thanked Abe for accepting his invitation to attend the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2020, which reflects their cooperation in achieving local, regional and international sustainable development. He stressed that the relations between the UAE and Japan are deep-rooted and have witnessed progress in the areas of trade, energy, investment, technology, space and education during the past decades. He also pointed out that Japan was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the UAE in 1971, and the visit of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to Japan in 1990 was the turning point in their bilateral relations. “Your visit to the UAE in 2018 was a strong boost to our relations, especially as it resulted in an agreement to develop our cooperation through a comprehensive strategic partnership initiative,” said Sheikh Mohamed. “The UAE, under the leadership of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is keen to enhance and activate this strategic partnership.” Sheikh Mohamed explained that what makes the relations between Abu Dhabi and Tokyo important is that they represent two leading regional and international development models and they share a system of civilized values that call for tolerance, coexistence and dialogue, and rejects extremism, terrorism, hatred and racism, no matter the source. Sheikh Mohamed stated that the Arab Gulf and Middle East regions are enduring complex situations, which need to be dealt with wisely, to maintain security and stability in a region of strategic importance to global peace and security. He added that interference by certain regional powers in the internal affairs of Arab countries is one of the most important and dangerous sources of tension, conflict and instability in the region. He underlined highlighted the UAEs firm stance in supporting stability and peace in the region, ensuring the flow of oil from the Arabian Gulf to Japan and the world, and maintaining the security of international shipping lines. He also stressed that the UAE’s joining of the “International Alliance for the Safety and Protection of Maritime Navigation and Ensuring the Safety of Maritime Corridors” proves its keenness to contribute to any international or regional effort and deter threats to international navigation and global energy supplies. He expressed his appreciation for Japans wise and balanced policy towards the Arabian Gulf and the Middle East. While welcoming Japans position on sending the Maritime Self-Defense Forces to the Middle East with the aim of securing its ships and protecting its oil supplies, Sheikh Mohamed stressed that this position is in line with that of the UAE, which supports every step that contributes to the safety and freedom of navigation in the region. He said it is also in line with the UAEs policy in support of establishing the pillars of security and stability in the region. Abe, for his part, expressed his appreciation for the UAEs policy towards developments in the Arabian Gulf and the Middle East. Sheikh Mohamed and Abe then oversaw the signing of the UAE-Japan Strategic Energy Cooperation Agreement between the Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council, represented by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, ADNOC, and the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy of Japan, for the storage of over 8 million barrels of crude oil at storage facilities in Japan. The agreement extends and expands the previous strategic crude oil storage agreement between the two nations that expired at the end of 2019. Under the terms of the new agreement, which has an initial three year period, ADNOC will store crude oil at storage facilities in Japan which may be traded to customers, whilst ensuring that certain quantities of crude oil are available in the event of an oil shortage event in Japan. The agreement was signed by Dr. Sultan bin Ahmad Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and ADNOC Group CEO, and Makihara Hideki, Japan’s State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.