Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Holding of SAARC Summit Meeting and on the Relations between India and Pakistan

January 8, 2002

Japan welcomes the fact that the 11th Summit Meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was held in Nepal for the first time in three and a half years. Japan hopes that, on the basis of the Declaration of the Summit adopted in the Meeting, Southwestern Asian countries will promote cooperation for the peace, stability and prosperity of the region.
Japan appreciates the fact that Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf shook hands, creating a positive atmosphere inclined toward easing tension.
Since late last year, Japan has been trying to urge Pakistan to cooperate actively with the international community in tackling terrorism, and India to continuously carry on its diplomatic efforts. Japan strongly hopes that the two countries will make further efforts in response to the appeal of Japan and the international community, and resume dialogue as early as possible.

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