Arab-Japanese dialogue forum kicks off in Cairo

CAIRO– 23 September 2017:Arab-Japanese Academic Dialogue Forum kicked off on Saturday in Cairo under the theme “towards greater partnership between Egypt and Japan”.

The forum is organized by al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies (ACPSS) and the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA).

It will be attended by Chairman of Egypt's State Information Service (SIS) and the ACPSS head Diyaa Rashwan, former Egyptian foreign minister Mohamed Orabi, Japanese Ambassador to Egypt Takehiro Kagawa as well as the JIIA Director Yoshiji Nogami.

Rashwan said that the dialogue forum between Egypt and Japan is a golden chance for tackling developments in the Middle East and Eastern Asia as well as exchanging viewpoints about confronting global extremism and terrorism.

The Japanese ambassador said that such sessions will deal with the most important issues on the regional and international spheres topped by North Korean nuclear program.

He underlined the importance of the political dialogue with Egypt and Arab countries within the framework of Japan’s keenness on playing greater role in the Middle East.

He also underlined that relations between Egypt and Japan are at the best especially after the visits exchanged by officials on a high level.

Japan is taking part in several development projects in Egypt including infrastructure, health and education fields, the Japanese ambassador added.

Ambassador Mohamed Orabi highlighted the importance of the forum in promoting a convergence of views between Egypt and Japan.

Terrorism practiced by extremist groups in the Middle East is similar to the North Korean nuclear terrorism in Asia that could drag the world to an outbreak of a third world war. Egypt and Japan are pioneering nations that can make a difference and find solutions for such threats, Orabi stated.

Yoshiji Nogami pointed out that Japan is facing two kinds of security challenges comprising the North Korean nuclear program which continues to fire nuclear tests ignoring the international condemnation, while other challenges are related to conflicts that erupt with China and disputes regarding areas in the South China Sea.

He added that Japan was among the first Asian countries participated in efforts aimed at reviving the peace process in the Middle East.