Visit to Japan by the Palestinian Delegation headed by Dr. Nabil Sha'ath, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation of the Palestinian Interim Authority

December 13, 2002

Dr. Nabil Sha'ath, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, correspondent to the foreign minister of the Palestinian Interim Authority, and Mr. Maher Al Masri, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, will visit Japan from December 18 (Wed) to 21 (Sat) at the invitation of the Government of Japan.
During their stay, Dr. Sha'ath and the others will hold a Japan-Palestinian Ministerial Political Consultation meeting with Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Foreign Minister of Japan, to exchange views on such matters as the current situation of the Palestinian Track of the Middle East peace process, efforts for its future progress, Japan's role and its assistance. In addition, they will have a Japan-Palestinian Joint Committee meeting with Japan's working-level officials in the fields of political and economic cooperation, industry, trade and private investment, to exchange views on strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two sides.
Dr. Sha'ath and the others will also exchange views with Middle East experts in Japan and give lectures, as well as engage in exchanges with key figures in the Japanese government including the three secretaries-general of the ruling coalition parties, members of the Japan-Palestine Parliamentary Friendship League.
These second Political Consultation and Joint Committee meetings (the first were held in May 2000) are a part of Japan's efforts for the progress of the Middle East peace process.

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