Qatar, Japan to Enhance Sustainable Energy Cooperation

Doha, January 08 (QNA) - Qatar and Japan have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation to include new fields such as sustainable energy, science, culture and infra-structure, the Qatar-Japan joint higher economic ministerial committee announced Sunday. Head of the Qatari part in the committee HE Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, who is also the Chairman of Administrative Control and Transparency Authority, stressed today the keenness of both countries to enhance their bilateral relations and seek more cooperation opportunities in cultural and scientific fields. Al Attiyah was addressing a joint press conference with Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba. Al Attiyah said both states enjoy close and distinguished bilateral relations, noting that both countries are celebrating this year 40 years of diplomatic relations. Al Attiyah also said that Japan is an important trade partner of Qatar and is one of the biggest Qatari LNG importers. He added that the State of Qatar stood by Japan when the earthquake and tsunami disasters struck the country in March 2011 and sent 70 shipments of LNG to Japan. In this connection, he retaliated Qatar's commitment to supply Japan with their energy needs, whether oil or LNG. The Deputy Prime Minister said that he discussed with Gemba how Qatar's financial support to the victims of the Yakushima earthquake, worth $100 million, can be used to the optimum benefit of the Japanese people. The State of Qatar had earlier revealed its intention to provide $100 million to aid the people, under the directions of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. He noted that Qatar welcomes Japanese contribution to projects that are currently carried out by Qatar. He stressed that such a contribution is crucial for the future. Al Attiyah praised the work of the Qatar-Japan joint higher economic ministerial committee, saying it helped enhance bilateral relations. He also thanked Japan for backing Qatar's request to host the 18th Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. For his part, Gemba praised bilateral relations with Qatar and described them as "deep and historic." He also thanked the State of Qatar for their support during the earthquake and Tsunami. He also expressed his thanks for Qatar's financial support to the victims of the earthquake, worth $100 million, under the directions of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Gemba praised Qatar's development, which he noticed taking place in all fields. He added that Qatar is now playing an important role in backing positive changes in the region. He also lauded Qatar's decision to form the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority, chaired by Al Attiyah, adding that it shows Qatar's keenness to establish a transparent government. He said that both countries agreed to enhance relations, whether on the international scene or through cooperation on sustainable energy, infra-structure projects, and the participation of Japanese companies in Qatari projects. Gemba said that he requested that Qatar, in light of current circumstances in the Middle-East, provides Japan with its oil needs at a stable price, and Japan's LNG needs as well. (QNA)