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Meeting Between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi and First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani of the State of Qatar, and a Dinner Hosted by Foreign Minister Kawaguchi

June 2, 2004

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On June 2, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi held talks with First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani of the State of Qatar, who made an official visit to Japan as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The talks were followed by a dinner hosted by Foreign Minister Kawaguchi. Both Ministers continued talks over dinner. The summary of the discussions is as follows.

1. With regard to bilateral relations First Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad stated that Japan and Qatar had maintained a friendly and favorable relations mainly in the energy field, and since, Qatar Airways would initiate by the end of 2004, direct flight to Japan four times a week, the bilateral relations would be further enhanced. He also stated that Qatar was seeking to advance cooperation with Japan in the education field.

   In response, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated that the direct flights would further promote people's interaction between the two countries, and The Japan Parliamentary League for Friendship with the State of Qatar, which was recently established, would contribute to strengthening the dialogue between the two countries. She also mentioned that in the eight of the importance of education, Japan would consider, the dispatch of Japanese education advisor to Qatar to utilize Japan's experience in cooperation in the education field.

2. With regard to the operations of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in Iraq, First Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad stated that although it was already known in the Middle East that the SDF were engaged in humanitarian and reconstruction assistance, he thought it significant to further publicize their operations through the media like Al-Jazeera.

3. In addition, Both Ministers exchanged views on the current situation in Iraq, including discussions on a draft resolution of the United Nations Security Council, the situation concerning the Middle East peace process, and the recent terrorist incident in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.