Successful launch of Hope probe marks strong UAE-Japan ties

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also discussed economic and trade links

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation. Courtesy MoFAIC

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed has called the successful launch of the Hope probe a distinguished example of the UAE's strategic partnership with Japan.

During a phone call, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi congratulated each other on the successful launch of the UAE’s probe to Mars after it lifted off from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre on July 20.

Sheikh Abdullah also highlighted the strong bilateral relations the two countries enjoy and their constant desire to enhance cooperation in several areas.

Both expressed the desire to further strengthen and diversify avenues of cooperation.

Economic and trade ties were discussed as well as ways to encourage investment and undertake joint initiatives in trade, technology, advanced projects and energy.

Both leaders also spoke about the global fight against Covid-19 and discussed the efforts made to tackle the virus on all fronts.

The leaders called for exchange of scientific knowledge and experiences, as well as health practices to curb the spread of the virus.

They also stressed the importance of international co-operation to fight the pandemic and offered full support in developing a vaccine for the disease.