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On January 13, 2020 (local time), the Prime Minister, who is visiting Al-Ula in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, visited the UNESCO World Heritage site of Madain Saleh.
 
After that, the Prime Minister visited Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He attended a welcome ceremony, followed by a meeting with H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Afterwards, the Prime Minister attended an exchange of documents ceremony for the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC).
 
After visiting Madain Saleh, the Prime Minister said,
 
“This site visit has enabled me to experience the traditions and culture that Saudi Arabia has preserved since ancient times.”
 
In addition, the Prime Minister said,
 
“Yesterday, I held a meeting with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed, where we held a detailed and frank exchange of views on the tense situation in the Middle East.
 
We must avoid further aggravation of the situation. We shared the recognition that all the parties involved should behave with self-restraint and exert all diplomatic efforts.
 
Japan relies on the Middle East region for much of its energy resources. We obtained full understanding and support from Saudi Arabia on the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces to ensure the safe navigation of ships related to Japan in conjunction with such diplomatic efforts. After this, I will visit the UAE and Oman. Both countries have as great an influence in the region as Saudi Arabia.
 
It is important to create a momentum towards a peaceful solution through dialogue on various issues in the region, taking advantage of this opportunity, where we can see the easing of the tensions due to the self-restraint of the relevant countries.
 
I intend to continue with such persistent diplomatic efforts that only Japan is capable of, based on the friendly relations we have established with the Middle East to date.”