Statement by Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Establishment of the New Government of Iraq

May 21, 2006
Japanese

1. The list of the cabinet members was presented to the Council of Representatives of Iraq, and approved on Saturday, 20th May. This entails the inauguration of the new government of Iraq, which completes the political process described in UN Security Council Resolution 1546 and other legal sources. Japan highly welcomes this, and congratulates the new government and the people of Iraq on this very significant accomplishment. Japan hopes that Iraq will develop further as a democratic and stable state under national reconciliation and prosper as a responsible member of the international community.
2. Taking it into account that the peace and stability of Iraq is essential for the stability of the Middle-Eastern region, Japan has actively supported the endeavor of the Iraqi people to build the nation, by the dispatch of the Self-Defence Forces in tandem with the provision of the Official Development Assistance. Japan desires the establishment of the Iraqi government to pave the way for a day when Iraq will develop its nation by its own capability, and to herald close bilateral ties in diverse fields.
3. Meanwhile, Iraq is still struggling to overcome hardships such as the improvement in security condition. Japan will retain the position to actively support the initiative of the Iraqi people to build the nation, in cooperation with the international community.

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