Visit by Special Envoy of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan, Ichiro Aisawa to Egypt and Libya (June 6-11)
(Overview and Results)

(a) With regard to the issue of the Middle East peace process, the Egyptian side explained on their efforts towards realization of a ceasefire between Israelis and Palestinians (while Special Envoy Aisawa was in Cairo, Silvan Shalom Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel visited Cairo) and on strengthening the security capabilities of the Palestinian Authority in order to facilitate a smooth withdrawal of Israeli force from the Gaza strip as well as to resume the peace process in accordance with the Roadmap.
The Egyptian side highly appreciated the efforts made by Japan to address the Palestinian issues, including its assistance to the Palestinians.

(b) As for the issue of Iraq, the two sides agreed that, with the transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi government approaching at the end of June, the United Nations (UN) is required to play a central role in facilitating the political process and that maintaining security in the region is important in order to advance the political process. Furthermore, they agreed on the need for the international community including the Arab countries to take a united action in support of the efforts by the Iraqi people to rebuild their country by themselves.
The Egyptian side appraised the progress seen in the Japan-Egypt Medical Technical Cooperation implemented as part of joint support to reconstruct Iraq, and the humanitarian and reconstruction assistance provided by Japan in the form of dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and financial cooperation.

(c) On the issue of the reform of the Middle East, the Egyptian side pointed out that while the Arab countries recognize the importance of the reform as reflected in the declarations made at the recent Arab League Summit, the reform shall not be imposed from outside and stressed upon the importance of resolving the political issues including the Middle East peace process in order to advance the reform.
To this point, Special Envoy Aisawa explained Japan's intention of providing assistance for the region's own efforts for reform as a partner seeking for peace and prosperity of the Middle East countries, while respecting the "ownership of the reform" and "the diversity" in the region. This received the support of the Egyptian side.

(d) In addition, the Egyptian side noted that, since Prime Minister Koizumi visited Egypt last year, there has been a dramatic development in Japan-Egypt bilateral relations and further stated that Egypt highly appreciated the efforts by Japan in facilitating mutual understanding through dialogue with Arab countries, such as the implementation of the Japan-Arab Dialogue Forum.

(a) As for the issue of WMDs, Special Envoy Aisawa elaborated on the significant threat the nuclear and missile development of North Korea poses to the security of East Asia and requested Libya to call on North Korea to follow Libya's example on its decision to abandon of WMDs. That Colonel Qadhafi himself affirmed that "Libya has been calling on North Korea and has all intention of continuing its efforts on this matter," was a great achievement.

(b) As for bilateral relations, Special Envoy Aisawa expressed Japanese intention to enhance bilateral relations in all areas from politics to economy and culture in order to engage in personnel exchanges as a first step to constructing a working relation while keeping in mind that the exchanges including business relations in the past have been weak under UN sanctions and that Libya is not eligible for Japanese government's Official Development Assistance (ODA).
Colonel Qadhafi expressed his wish to visit Japan at an appropriate time and further stated that developing Japan-Libya relations is important with the view of urging, thus expressing strong hope of the enhancement of relations with Japan. In addition, the Libyan side expressed its expectations for Japanese enterprises participation in the areas of crude oil and gas, industrialization utilizing its vast national land, Great Man-Made River project, desalination of sea water, electric power generation and others on the economic side as well as cultural exchanges such as scholarship for students from Libya to Japan. (It should be noted that Libya has already simplified the procedure of issuance of visas for Japanese business men in order to enhance its ties with Japan.)

(c) The great hospitality of the Libyan side of the visit by the Special Envoy of the Prime Minister were witnessed throughout his stay in Libya, including the meeting with Colonel Qadhafi which lasted for over two hours, the meeting held with Foreign Minister Shalgam in a car for over five hours on the way to and from the meeting with Colonel Qadhafi, and further President Shahomi postponing his overseas travel plans to welcome Special Envoy Aisawa.