1. Director-General for African and Middle Eastern Affairs Hong Jin-wook, together with Mr. Katsuhiko Takahashi, Director-General of the Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, held the 7^th Republic of Korea (ROK)-Japan Director-General-Level Middle East Policy Consultation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the morning of February 10 and exchanged views on the two countries’ policies toward the Middle East and the recent developments in the region.

2. The two sides shared the understanding that peace and stability in the Middle East is directly linked to peace in not only Northeast Asia but the entire international community and agreed to continue communication and cooperation between the ROK and Japan, which hold similar perspectives on Middle Eastern issues.

3. The two Directors-General noted with appreciation that the Policy Consultation had been useful in broadening mutual understanding between the ROK and Japan on Middle Eastern issues and agreed to continue strengthening cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, including their diplomatic missions in the Middle East, on the rapidly changing situation in the region.