Statement by Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on Building New Partnership between Iraq and the International Community (Initiative to Produce the International Compact with Iraq)

July 28, 2006
Japanese

On Thursday, July 27 (New York Time), the Government of Iraq and the United Nations issued a press release that announced the formal launch of the International Compact with Iraq to build new partnership between Iraq and the International Community.
Japan has been consulting on this Compact with Iraq, the UN, and other major donors for the reconstruction of Iraq. This document is anticipated to describe policy goals of the Government of Iraq for the next five years in the aspects of political affairs, security and economic reconstruction, as well as the commitment of the international community to providing Iraq with assistance for achieving those goals. Japan will actively and continuously support the efforts of the Iraqi people for nation-building, and welcomes the formal launch of the Compact this time.
Japan hopes that Iraq will develop as a democratic and stable state and prosper as a responsible member of the international community. Japan considers that the Compact will contribute to accelerating the reconstruction of Iraq by making clear the future responsibility of the Government of Iraq for its governance and by broadening the range of the donors in the international community. Japan will actively participate in such an initiative as a member of the Preparatory Group of the Compact.
The Ambassador in Charge of Reconstruction Assistance to Iraq assumes the charge of coordination concerning the Compact.

See http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/ik552.doc.htm for the press release of the UN and the Government of Iraq.

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