TOKYO, 8 April 2006 — Crown Prince Sultan yesterday called for the peaceful coexistence of civilizations, saying humanity is badly in need of it to stop wars and occupation of others’ land by force and prevent the spread of hate and enmity. Speaking at Tokyo’s prestigious Waseda University after receiving an honorary doctorate in law, Sultan also urged more cooperation in various areas of scientific research that will be of benefit to all humanity.

“We call upon the world community to intensify efforts in supporting peaceful and constructive coexistence among nations and the respect of the human being, as well as rejecting all forms of discrimination, violence, extremism and aggression,” he said.

The university said it was conferring on the Saudi crown prince the honorary doctorate in appreciation of his contributions in the areas of science, technology, humanitarian service, health, education and environment.

In his keynote address, Prince Sultan highlighted Saudi Arabia’s endeavors to promote education.

“We are confident that a balanced dialogue between cultures would contribute to preventing differences and conflicts between nations,” he said.

The crown prince said Saudi Arabia and its people admired the tremendous progress achieved by Japan in science and technology. “We also value the existing cooperation between our educational institutions,” he said.

He said Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah had instructed the Higher Education Ministry to include Japan among the countries listed for sending Saudi students for higher studies.

Higher Education Minister Khaled Al-Anqari announced last month that the Kingdom would send more students to countries such as China, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Australia for higher studies in medicine, general science and engineering.

“I am sure that our expanding scientific cooperation would lead to strengthening of our relations,” the prince said.

He thanked the university authorities for awarding him the doctoral degree, saying it would open a new era of cultural ties. He said the government would pay for Saudi students studying in Japan.

Waseda is one of the oldest universities in Japan that was established in 1882. More than 50,000 students from 40 countries are enrolled in the university. Waseda has previously awarded honorary doctoral degrees to a number of kings and heads of state.

The crown prince, who ended a three-day visit to Tokyo yesterday, agreed with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to launch talks on a free-trade agreement between Japan and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Japan has close economic ties with Saudi Arabia, which supplies more than one million barrels of crude oil a day to fuel Asia’s largest economy.

Before leaving Tokyo, Sultan attended a luncheon jointly hosted by the Japanese Federation for Economic Organizations, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Japanese Association for Foreign Trade, the Saudi-Japanese Friendship Society, and the Japanese Business Association (JBA).

“We, the businessmen in Japan, are happy to welcome your royal highness here on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Saudi-Japan relations,” said JBA’s chairman.

He expressed his delight over the growing economic relations between the two countries.

“Japan is the Kingdom’s second largest economic partner. There are a number of joint investment projects, especially in areas of refining, petrochemical industry, power generation and desalination,” he said.

In his speech, Sultan referred to his visit to Japan in 1960, which was the first by a high-ranking Saudi official after the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1955. He expressed satisfaction over the progress of bilateral relations during the past 50 years.

Sultan reiterated Saudi Arabia’s determination to combat terrorism and promote world peace and stability.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, being the main source of oil, aims to achieve not only its development but also supports world economic growth by working to stabilize international oil market,” he said.

The crown prince also noted the progress achieved by Japan to become the world’s second-largest economy.

He said the strategic cooperation pact signed by the two countries during the visit of King Abdullah in 1998 while he was crown prince had played a big role in taking Saudi-Japan ties to new heights.

Prince Sultan later arrived in Hong Kong on his way to Singapore.