Japanese PM offers condolences to UAE leadership

TOKYO: Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan, has expressed his condolences over the death of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

“On behalf of the government of Japan and its people, I extend my hearfelt condolences to the UAE leadership, government and people on this great loss that not only affected the UAE, but the international community as a whole,” the Japanese Prime Minister said. “Since he visited Japan in his capacity as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi at the Expo ‘70 in Osaka, 1970, he atached great importance to strengthening his country’s relations with Japan, especially in the field of energy,” he added.

TOKYO GOVERNOR CANCELS MIDDLE EAST VISIT, MOURNS SHEIKH KHALIFA: Governor of Tokyo Yuriko Koike has cancelled her trip to the Middle East, which was due to start on Saturday, following the passing of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday. Koike, an Arabic speaker who was formerly the Chair of the Japan-uae Parliamentary Friendship League in Japan, shared condolences on behalf of the citizens of Tokyo, expressing her sadness and sympathy for the people of the UAE.

“We shall always remember Sheikh Khalifa’s distinguished accomplishments in furthering friendship and goodwill between Japan and the UAE,” Koike said in a statement.

MALDIVES PRESIDENT CONDOLES DEATH OF SHEIKH KHALIFA: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Republic of Maldives, has expressed condolences on the passing of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. “Saddened to hear of the passing of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. A visionary leader, he was a close friend of Maldives,” he tweeted on Friday evening.

GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY MOURNS DEATH

OF SHEIKH KHALIFA: The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs has mourned the death of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

“Profoundly saddened by the passing of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During his tenure, Greece-uae relations have expanded exponentially,” the foreign ministry tweeted late on Friday.

“We extend our sincere condolences & deepest sympathy to his family, the people and Govt of our close friend and strategic partner UAE,” the ministry added.