http://www.english.hadhramaut.info Yemen, Japan discuss cooperation ties [The Source: sana'a/hadhramaut.info/sabanews.net - 21/02/2010] Planning and International Cooperation Minister Abdul-Karim al-Arhabi met on Sunday with Director-General, Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Mr. Hideaki Ashizoka

During the meeting, al-Arhabi and Ashizoka discussed bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and means of boosting them.The two officials also discussed several issues relating to the common cooperation, especially in the fields of coastguards and maritime security.Al-Arhabi praised the level and aspects of cooperation between Yemen and Japan, confirming the Yemeni government's keenness to strengthen and develop common cooperation with Japan.For his part, the Japanese official said that his country has big concern about Yemen because of its strategic location dominating one of the most important international shipping line. He also confirmed the important of supporting Yemen's efforts in the fighting against piracy in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden