Japan-Iraq Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

June 18, 2009
Japanese

(photo) (photo)

On June 18 (Thu), from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan had a meeting with H.E. Mr. Hoshyar Zebari, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq, who is visiting Japan as a Guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and hosted a dinner for him at Iikura House. The outline of the meeting is as follows. A Japan-Iraq Foreign Ministers’ Joint Statement was issued after the meeting (text is attached).

Opening remarks

(1) Minister Nakasone welcomed Minister Zebari’s to Japan, which was materialized in the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Iraq. He stated that Japan welcomes the improvement of the security situation in Iraq, as Japan has been proactively engaged in reconstruction and stability of Iraq. He also stated that our bilateral relationship is now entering into a new phrase with the completion of the Japan Self-Defense Force mission, and that Japan wishes to further strengthen the long-range strategic partnership with Iraq.

(2) Minister Zebari stated that he had a signing ceremony on debt reduction with H.E. Mr. Aso, the then Minister for Foreign Affairs, in Iikura House when he visited Japan in 2005. He expressed his thankfulness towards Japan for its dispatch of JSDFs, reconstruction assistance through yen loan and technical assistance as well as aid through international community, and stated that Iraq will never forget countries which helped Iraq when it needed most.

Bilateral relations

(1) The outline of Minister Nakasone’s remarks is as follows.

A) Minister Nakasone said that he hopes to carry out mutual visits of key figures and close political dialogues, and to hold the Joint Economic Committee and high-level political dialogues. He also stated that Japan will continue to provide assistance for reconstruction to Iraq mainly through Yen Loans, technical assistance, and strengthening their economic and business relationship.

B) Minister Nakasone welcomed the enhanced economic and business relationship between the two countries, and expressed his hope that Japanese companies will make advances into Iraq, and stated that Japan will cooperate with Iraq for the improvement of security environment to that end.

C) On cultural cooperation, considering that 2009 is the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Iraq, Minister Nakasone stated that both countries would hold cultural events to an extent circumstances allow. As for the Iraqi plan to dispatch students, Minister Nakasone said that he hopes many Iraqi exchange students will visit Japan. He also stated he wants to expand relations in such fields as tourism and conservation of cultural properties.

(2) In response, Minister Zebari said that Iraq’s relationship with Japan is entering a new stage, and that he wants to proactively strengthen the economic relationship between the two countries based on the Declaration on Establishing a Comprehensive Partnership between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Iraq. He also expressed his strong hope that the Japanese business community will gain a greater presence in Iraq in the future.

Domestic affairs in Iraq

(1) Minister Nakasone stated Japan praises that Iraq’s local elections were carried out smoothly in January 2009, and that Japan pays close attention to the political situations towards the parliamentary election of January 2010.

(2) Minister Zebari said that security environments are not entirely stable, but Iraq is confident that it can gain the stability. He said that the major challenges are to achieve long-lasting stability by multi-national forces and Iraq Security Forces, and enhanced national reconciliation through political process such as parliamentary election.

Both ministers also exchanged views on other matters such as situations in the Middle East and Asia.

(END)

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