Press Release

Japanese Foreign Minister Kawaguchi's Visit to Pakistan

August 11th 2004

Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, is making her first official visit to Pakistan during 10-12 August. The Minister arrives with a view to make this visit an advent to strengthening Japan's relation with Pakistan, to which Japan attaches importance. Japan recognizes the vital and indispensable role that Pakistan plays for peace and stability of the international community as the front line state against new threats such as terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destructions.

On August 11th, Minister Kawaguchi paid a courtesy call on President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, before holding a Foreign Minister's meeting with her counterpart, Mr. Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, Foreign Minister of Pakistan. The Ministers had a frank and cordial exchange of views during the meeting over a wide range of matters including means to strengthen their bilateral relations, counter-terrorism, disarmament and non proliferation, as well as other regional issues. Minister Kawaguchi also called on Mr. Shaukat Aziz Financial Minister of Pakistan.

Outline of visit and main outcomes of the meetings

1. Bilateral Relations

Both sides confirmed their desire to further strengthen their bilateral relations. The Pakistani side expressed their appreciation for Japan's recent assistance to Pakistan, including the provision of fuel oil by vessels of Maritime Self Defense Force of Japan to Pakistani naval ships participating in the war against terrorism in the Indian Ocean (OEF-MIO), and Japan's support for Pakistan's membership in ARF as well as Pakistan's candidacy to host the next ACD meeting.
Both sides recognized the need to promote further dialogue. It was agreed that the next Vice-Minister level meeting would be held at the end of October. Minister Kawaguchi extended to Minister Kasuri a formal invitation to visit Japan, to which Minister Kasuri accepted with gratitude, indicating his will to visit Japan in late November.
Both sides also agreed to continue to hold High Level Economic Consultations and share the view to encourage and support the Joint Business Dialogue which is expected to be held at Karachi in February next year.
Minister Kawaguchi conveyed to Minister Kasuri that Japan held in high regard Pakistan's effort to make Pakistan a moderate and modern Islamic state and expressed Japan's continued willingness to support such Pakistani efforts.
Minister Kawaguchi also informed Minister Kasuri that Japan would start considering the resumption of yen-loan assistance to Pakistan with a view to supporting economic and social development in Pakistan. In this context, Minister Kasuri requested Minister Kawaguchi to send a mission, to which Minister Kawaguchi responded positively.

2. Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

Both sides recognized the importance of addressing the problem of the proliferation of nuclear related technologies and the Pakistani side expressed their willingness to cooperate with the international community on this matter.
The Japanese side called on the Pakistani side to further efforts in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation, and informed Pakistan of its readiness to cooperate with Pakistanis in strengthening their non-proliferation regimes.
The Ministers also share the view to hold consultations on disarmament and non-proliferation issues in order to reinforce dialogue on this matter.

3. India-Pakistan Relations

Minister Kawaguchi welcomed the recent improvement of relations between Pakistan and India, and encouraged further improvement of relations and the advancement of confidence building measures.

4. Regional Issues

Both sides exchanged views on issues including the fight against terrorism, and recent developments in Afghanistan.

Back to Index