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Japan Egypt Joint Press Release On the occasion of the visit of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Japan

1. At the invitation of Foreign Minister of Japan Yoriko Kawaguchi, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Egypt Fayza Aboulnaga visited Japan from 9th to 13th December, 2002. The visit aimed to solidify the excellent relations between the two countries and explore ways and means for higher levels of cooperation and partnership.
2. Egypt and Japan maintain close and cordial relations. The visit of President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak to Japan in April 1999, opened new horizons to enhance and strengthen cooperation and gave renewed momentum to the relations between the two countries.
3. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi and Minister of State Aboulnaga held a meeting on 10th December, and discussed a wide range of issues. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi underscored the importance of Egypt as a major country in the Middle East, which plays a leading role in maintaining peace and stability in the region. The two Ministers reaffirmed the importance of cooperation to achieve a comprehensive and durable peace in the Middle East, pursuant to relevant Security Council Resolutions.
4. Minister of State Aboulnaga expressed her appreciation for Japan's assistance provided to Egypt in support of economic growth and social development in Egypt. The two Ministers noted the importance of further pursuing economic cooperation in the area of economic and social infrastructure, health, education, human resources development, agriculture and environmental preservation.
5. The Japanese side also expressed its intention to seriously consider supporting Egypt's efforts to upgrade its electricity and power sector and transmission lines.
6. Both sides underlined the importance of promoting trade and investment between the two countries and to develop a well - balanced trade relationship. They noted with satisfaction the positive progress of the joint Japan - Egypt and Egypt - Japan business councils which represent an important tool to expand private business relations.
7. Minister of State Aboulnaga underscored the huge business opportunities that Egypt offers to Japanese Foreign Direct Investment. Recognizing the business potential of both countries, the two sides confirmed the importance of exchanging visits and information.
8. Minister of State Aboulnaga highlighted the important contribution of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in supporting the access of Egyptian exports to Japan and the interest of the Government of Egypt to establish a trade promotion organization similar to JETRO. The Japanese side emphasized that it is most important for trade - related capacity building to equip people with a better ability to seize trade and investment opportunities. Both sides noted with satisfaction the activities of the Foreign Trade Training Center (FTTC), which the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has made great contribution to establish for the purpose of supporting the upgrading of marketing skills in Egypt.
9. Both sides expressed their intention to collaborate through Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in assisting and contributing to the African development, in particular, implementation of New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), and to intensify their joint efforts within the Triangular Technical Cooperation Programme Framework. In this context, they expected the success of the coming seminar on WTO capacity building for African countries ~ investment and competition ~, which the two countries organized jointly in Egypt next February as JICA's scheme for high officials of WTO member African countries who take charge of trade policy.
10. The two sides underlined the importance of cultural activities in promoting better understanding and friendship between the two countries. They decided to continue efforts to enhance the cultural relations between the two countries and promote tourism.
11. During the visit, Minister of State Aboulnaga handed over a private message from President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, in response to the private message conveyed by Special Envoy of Prime Minister Mr. Masahiko Komura.
12. Minister of State Aboulnaga met with Minister of Economic, Trade and Industry, members of the Diet, Presidents of JETRO, JICA and Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), Governor of Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and heads of the bilateral friendship associations.