Visit to Japan by His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
(Summary and Evaluation)
December 14, 2004
His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan visited Japan from December 12 (Sunday) to 14 (Tuesday) on a working visit. The following is a summary of the visit.
1. Summary
(1) Summit meeting (December 13)
During the meeting, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and King Abdullah exchanged opinions on, (a) the expansion of bilateral cooperation between Japan and Jordan as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries; (b) with regard to peace in the Middle East, the situation in the Palestinian territories since the death of Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority (PA) including the election of a new President (Ra'ees); (c) Japan's reconstruction assistance to Iraq including the dispatch of the Self Defense Forces; (d) the reform of the United Nations (UN) as well as (e) bilateral cooperation including the announcement by Japan that it is ready to newly provide a non-project grant aid of four billion yen (about $36,000,000).
(2) Courtesy call by Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura and the Japan-Jordan Parliamentary Friendship League (December 14)
Following the words of gratitude expressed by King Abdullah regarding the assistance provided by Japan to Jordan, opinions were exchanged on the situation in the Palestinian territories which is scheduled to hold an election for the President (Ra'ees) of the PA and on the situation in Iraq after the legislative election next January, among others.
(3) Foreign Ministers' Meeting (Dec 14)
Prior to the meeting, the framework document for the Japan-Jordan Partnership Programme was signed between Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Bassem I. Awadallah, who accompanied King Abdullah. Then, with the participation of Minister of Foreign Affairs Hani Al Mulki, the three ministers held a meeting and exchanged opinions on cooperation to realize peace in the Middle East and to resolve the issues of Iraq in addition to the development of the Japan-Jordan relations.
(4) Others
In addition to King Abdullah being invited to dinner with Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan at the Imperial Residence, King Abdullah also met with relevant members of political and business circles and exchanged opinions on a wide range of cooperation through both public and private sectors, including a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the House of Councillors, being paid a courtesy call by the Secretary-General of the ruling party, senior officials of the Democratic Party of Japan and Senior Vice-President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and chairman of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), a meeting with Chairman Hiroshi Okuda of the Nippon Keidanren and attending a lunch hosted by Nippon Keidanren, and a meeting with the Japan-Jordan Association. These meetings contributed to enhance ties between the two countries.
2. Evaluation
(1) The visit by King Abdullah was realized in a most timely manner to conclude the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Japan and Jordan which has maintained extremely friendly, in part due to the close ties between the imperial family of Japan and the royal family of Jordan. Efforts were made for further advancement in bilateral relations for the next coming 50 years through a broad range of high-level dialogues with senior officials of the government, members of the imperial family and eminent persons from economic circles.
(2) With regard to bilateral relations, the framework document for the Japan-Jordan Partnership Programme was signed in accordance with the past achievements by Japan and Jordan engaging in trilateral cooperation with the Palestinian territories and with Iraq. An announcement was also made on the intention of Japan and Jordan to cooperate with one another and assist the economic or social development of other developing countries.
(3) With regard to the situations in the Palestinian territories and Iraq, including the upcoming elections, agreement was reached that Japan, which is playing a constructive role, would engage in cooperation with Jordan.
(4) Jordan expressed its support for the position of Japan regarding the UN reform.
(5) Jordan expressed words of appreciation for the assistance provided by Japan. Japan proposed for further cooperation in potential areas of the private sector, such as vocational training and development of infrastructure, through holding meetings with economic-related officials in addition to intergovernmental cooperation, and the common understanding was shared in this regard.
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