Syria and Japan Announce Resumption of Relations and Opening New Chapter in Bilateral Cooperation

Syria and Japan Announce Resumption of Relations and Opening a New Chapter in Bilateral Cooperation

An official meeting was held in Damascus between the Director of the Department of Afro-Asian and Oceanian Affairs, Mr. Mohammad Zakaria Lababidi, and the Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. ONISHI Yohei, in the presence of several officials from both sides.

This visit marks the highest-level visit by a Japanese diplomatic official to Syria in over fifteen years. The Japanese official affirmed that it represents a formal declaration of the resumption of relations between the Syrian Arab Republic and Japan, and the beginning of a new phase of cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to develop bilateral relations and resume cooperation in various fields, emphasizing the need to accelerate and strengthen cooperation in a way that serves the interests of both countries and their friendly peoples. The Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister also extended an official invitation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Mr. Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, to visit Japan.

Mr. Lababidi expressed his hope to benefit from the Japanese experience in recovery and reconstruction, while the Japanese side pledged to provide new assistance to the Syrian people, and to support efforts to rebuild Syria, and the unity, integrity and sovereignty of its territory.

The Japanese official also affirmed his country's rejection of Israeli attacks on Syrian territory and its support for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Discussions also focused on the role of the Japanese private sector in reconstruction, plans to hold a forum for Japanese companies to encourage investment, and welcoming Syria's participation in the Green Expo 2027. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced new training programs for Syrian personnel, particularly in the electricity sector.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates expressed its thanks and appreciation to the Government of Japan for its continued support to the Syrian people, stressing its aspiration to strengthen cooperation and coordination between the two countries in a way that deepens bilateral relations.