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JAPAN-EGYPT JOINT STATEMENT
ON THE OCCASION OF THE VISIT
BY PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK TO JAPAN

April 11-13, 1999

  1. At the invitation of the Government of Japan, President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak of the Arab Republic of Egypt and Mrs. Mubarak visited Japan from April 11 to 13, 1999. This visit opens a new chapter for the existing friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.
  2. On the occasion of the visit, President Mubarak and Mrs. Mubarak paid a call on Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan at the Imperial Palace on April 12.
  3. President Mubarak and Prime Minister Obuchi held a meeting and discussed a variety of issues. President Mubarak also held a meeting with Japanese dignitaries and business leaders on how to further promote cooperation between the governmental and private sectors of Japan and Egypt. The accompanying delegation of Egyptian officials and businessmen exchanged views with their counterparts and participated in an economic seminar on Egypt.
  4. President Mubarak and Prime Minister Obuchi underscored that the 21st century should be a century of "Peace and Prosperity." They also emphasized that the international community should hold serious and intensive discussions in preparation for a century based on fairness, tolerance, compassion and coexistence.
  5. The two leaders expressed their deep concern over the stalled peace process in the Middle East on all its tracks. They also stressed the need for cooperation between the two countries to help achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, based on the principles of the Madrid Conference, notably the principle of "Land for Peace," pursuant to the Security Council Resolutions 242, 338 and 425. Prime Minister Obuchi expressed his commitment to continue Japan's contribution to the peace process, and appreciated the considerable role taken by Egypt in this regard as well as in preserving the stability of the region.
  6. The two leaders called for the urgent and faithful implementation of the Wye River Memorandum in particular, and all other agreements reached between the Palestinians and Israelis, and they hope the final status talks will be resumed as soon as possible.
  7. Prime Minister Obuchi reconfirmed Japan's support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, particularly the right of self-determination, including the right to establish an independent state and looks forward to the early fulfillment of this right. He also urges the parties concerned to refrain from any unilateral actions that might prejudice the outcome of the final status talks, including the issues of Jerusalem and expansion of settlements in the occupied territories. President Mubarak expressed his appreciation for Japan's active contribution to the Middle East peace process and its assistance for the Palestinian People. They renewed their recognition of the importance of Japan-Egypt cooperation in the capacity-building of the Palestinian people.
  8. The two leaders shared the view that the negotiations on the Syrian and the Lebanese tracks need to be resumed as soon as possible. In this context, President Mubarak appreciated Japan's dispatch of a contingent to UNDOF as a contribution to peace in the Middle East region. President Mubarak also appreciated strong political initiatives taken by Japan, and expressed his interest in the Four Point Principles on Southern Lebanon. He also valued Japan's initiatives in the Multilateral Negotiations, such as the efforts made by Japan as the Gavel-holder of the Working Group on Environment.
  9. The two leaders welcome the latest developments regarding the Lockerbie case and the suspension of the United Nations Sanctions on Libya. They expected that the suspended sanctions would be lifted completely as early as possible in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
  10. President Mubarak especially appreciated Japan's contribution to Africa. The two leaders reiterated the importance of conflict prevention in Africa, including self-help efforts to this end made by African regional organizations. Prime Minister Obuchi expressed his appreciation for Egypt's role in Africa and especially in the establishment of the African Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution and the Cairo Center for Training on Conflict Resolution and Peace Keeping in Africa. In this connection, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Japan-Egypt cooperation aimed at enhancing South-South cooperation in Africa as stipulated in the Tokyo Agenda for Action of TICAD II.
  11. The two leaders expressed their determination to strive further in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons as well as other weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivery. President Mubarak expressed his expectation for the successful conclusion of the Tokyo Forum. Prime Minister Obuchi reiterated Japan's appreciation for President Mubarak's initiative to establish "A Zone Free of Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East." The two leaders expressed their hope for entry into force of the CTBT at an early date. They also expressed their commitments to make best efforts for the success of the next Review Conference for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to be held in the year 2000, including achieving universal adherence to the treaty.
  12. The two leaders shared the view that there is a need for a comprehensive and balanced strengthening and reform of the United Nations, including the reform of the Security Council, the financial reform and the reform in the area of development, to respond adequately to the challenges of the 21st century. They confirmed their commitment to make joint efforts to reform and strengthen the Security Council with an expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership in such a way that it would reflect the present situation of the world through a fair and balanced representativeness of all geographical regions.
  13. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to free and fair rules supported by the multilateral trading system based on the World Trade Organization. Their objective is to reach a sufficiently wide-ranging and balanced agenda for the next comprehensive negotiations under the WTO, which allows all participants to benefit, and gives the appropriate consideration to the interests of developing counties.
  14. The two leaders shared the view that the international community should strive towards the establishment of an international economic system beneficial to all. They discussed the recent vulnerability of international financial systems, and they underscored the need to enable the developing countries to be active players in the global market and to reap greater returns from their contributions to the global economy.
  15. The two leaders underscored the importance of active and efficient international dialogue on the twin issues of global trade and international finance, as well as other issues related to international economic cooperation.
  16. The two leaders expressed their satisfaction with the recent positive developments in their bilateral relations reflected in the numerous visits on different levels, and they were determined to continue strengthening political dialogue between the two countries.
  17. President Mubarak expressed his appreciation for Japan's economic and technical cooperation to Egypt, especially the grant aid extended to the Project for Construction of the Suez Canal Bridge which is jointly financed by both countries. The two leaders expressed their expectation that the Bridge would also play an important role of promoting exchange of people and goods between Asia and Africa, and one day become a symbol of regional peace and stability.
  18. Prime Minister Obuchi appreciated that Egypt's economy is showing sound growth, successfully weathering the pressures from the recent global economic difficulties. The two leaders stressed the recent positive developments in bilateral investment and trade, and that this would witness further cooperation and evolution. In this regard, they welcomed the measures taken to reactivate the Japan-Egypt and the Egypt-Japan Business Cooperation Committees, and stressed the importance of supporting their activities to the extent possible.
  19. On President Mubarak's State Visit to Japan in 1995, the leaders of the two countries issued a communique entitled, "A Partnership for a Better Future." Today, and as an embodiment of this Partnership, they decided to adopt the following program:

"Japan-Egypt Partnership Program"

Towards a 21st century of "Peace and Prosperity" the Government of Japan and the Government of Egypt will increase and diversify their consultations and cooperation on global, regional and bilateral issues with emphasis on the fields of peace, economy, environment, cultural exchange and education. They will work together with other nations to promote positive coexistence, mutual benefits and appreciation for achievements of different societies within our global community.
They will cultivate dialogue and cooperation at various levels, age groups and professions, both in the governmental and in the private sectors.
In this context, the two leaders decided to establish the "Japan-Egypt Partnership Forum," in principle, at the ministerial level to discuss, as a first step, international and regional issues of mutual concern and promote bilateral cooperation.

1. Peace and Cooperation

The two governments will endeavor to consult and cooperate on the major international issues of our time, especially those of international security, arms control and development, and particularly in regions of mutual interest such as the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
The basic principles of international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter will guide them.
They share a common objective of ensuring security at lower levels of armaments and freeing the world from the scourge of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.
They recognize that economic stability and prosperity should be shared by all to be sustainable. Moreover, rules governing global economic matters need to evolve in a manner commensurate with the new environment, particularly through efficient consultation between developing and developed countries.
Furthermore, in recognition of the importance of inter-regional cooperation, they will encourage dialogues between different members of their societies particularly between Asia, Africa and Arab world. In this regard, the "Egypt-Asia seminar" held in Cairo in November 1996, could serve as a model for such a dialogue.

2. Economy, Trade and Investment

Recognizing the positive contribution of their economic development cooperation for Egypt's ongoing economic reform programs and to solid bilateral ties, the two governments will pursue economic cooperation in accordance with the needs of the Egyptian side. They will further exert efforts to promote trade and investment between the two countries through, inter-alia, institutions such as the newly revitalized Japan-Egypt and Egypt-Japan Business cooperation Committees.
They will cooperate in trade promotion for the establishment of a Foreign Trade Training Center in Egypt on the basis of a JICA scheme, in light of increasing importance of exports to Egypt's economy. JETRO will support a number of Egypt's trade promotion activity plans in Japan during 1999-2000, including the participation in trade fairs and market studies.
They welcome the resumption of study on tourism development projects in Egypt, and look forward to its early conclusion.
The Japanese side will seriously consider supporting Egypt's efforts to develop small and medium sized enterprises, and the two countries expressed their intention to cooperate closely in this area on the basis of necessary studies and procedures.
The two sides shared the view that developing business-to-business relation and facilitating business activities are important for strengthening bilateral economic relations. In light of this, the two sides will actively consider suggestions made by the business community, such as enhancing the availability of information of corporate activities. During President Mubarak's visit, the Associations of Liaison and Consultation between Business Circles of Egypt and Japan has been revitalized and established as the Egypt-Japan and the Japan-Egypt Business Cooperation Committees encompassing business leaders from the two countries. The Committees will hold their first joint meeting in Cairo.

3. Environment

The two governments will promote cooperation to develop balanced and complementary measures in the field of environment monitoring, prevention of industrial pollution and environmental health-care.
In light of Japan's significant contribution to the development of clean energy technologies, and taking into account Egypt's plans and efforts for advancing the use of cleaner and renewable energy including construction of a wind farm for energy generation and establishment of solar energy generation facility, they expressed their intentions to cooperate closely in this area.

4. Cultural Exchange

The two governments welcome initiatives for promoting cultural exchange beyond 2000 between Japan and Egypt, particularly by the private sector in both countries. Furthermore, the Japanese side welcomes the "Year 2000 Egyptian Cultural Program in Japan".
They continue to commend growing cultural interaction between their peoples, and encourage the private sector in both countries to take increasing roles in events such as exhibitions, seminars, dialogue fora and youth exchange programs.
In this context, such events as an Egyptian film festival to be organized in Japan in June 1999 and the 25th anniversary events for the Department of Japanese Language in Cairo University in 1999, are much welcomed.
Furthermore, the Japanese side is interested in cooperating to preserve valuable cultural heritage in Egypt, for example, through UNESCO/Japan Trust Fund. The two sides also intend to continuously promote to exchange TV programs.

5. Education, youth and academic exchange

The two governments will promote cooperation to activate youth and academic exchange between the two countries including among governments, universities, think tanks and local governments. They will also work together to improve Egypt's Educational Program and expand its school capacity.
To enhance cooperation in science and technology, they are now actively working toward promoting cooperation based on a Protocol on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the Japan Society for Promotion of Science and the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research and Technology.

The Japan-Egypt bilateral summit meeting between President Mubarak and Prime Minister Obuchi today (April 12, 1999) is the first step towards the above-mentioned cooperation programs, and it constitutes the basis for developing bilateral relations in the next century, and enhancing their cooperation in international efforts. The two countries will summon up knowledge and energy from governmental and private sectors to determine the direction of cooperation in each field and derive concrete follow-up activities. Both sides will endeavor to establish various dialogue fora which will contribute to solid bilateral relations.

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