Courtesy Call by Mr. Seiji Maehara, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on His Excellency Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

February 22, 2011
Japanese

On Tuesday, February 22, Mr. Seiji Maehara, Minister for Foreign Affairs, paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The outline of the meeting is as follows.
At the outset, Minister Maehara welcomed President Zardari’s visit to Japan, and extended his deepest condolences to the victims and their bereaved families of terrorism in Pakistan. He reirerated his respect to Pakistan, which had resolutely been continuing counter-terrorism measures. Minister Maehara stated that the President’s visit would provide an opportunity to further strengthen Japan-Pakistan bilateral relationship towards the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2012.
President Zardari expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the steady implementation of Japan’s commitment to provide up to one billion US dollars pledged at the Donors Conference in April 2009, as well as for Japan’s assistance to the flood disaster last summer. President Zardari stated that, as Pakistan was undertaking domestic economic reform, it should aim for a progressive and commercial country like Japan, a friend of Pakistan. President Zardari noted with pleasure the continued development of Japan-Pakistan relationship, and stated that Pakistan would continue such efforts as to enhance an investment environment in order to further strengthen bilateral economic relations, including through increased presence of Japanese companies, and proposed to set up a framework for further cooperation. Minister Maehara encouraged continued efforts on the part of the Government of Pakistan to enhance an investment and business environment through improvement of the security situation, simplification of administrative procedures and infrastructure development, with a view to strengthening bilateral economic relations.
President Zardari commented on the current situation in the Middle East and explained its economic impact on Pakistan. He also explained Pakistan’s ongoing fight against terrorism. Minister Maehara referred to Japan’s position on the Middle East that the future of a country be decided by its people, and stated that Japan would cooperate with other countries when necessary. Minister Maehara expressed his respect for President Zardari’s heavy responsibility to undertake counter-terrorism measures and to continue efforts towards regional stability despite many difficult challenges at home.

(*This is a provisional translation. The above date denotes the date of the issue of the original press release in Japanese.)

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