Japan-Iran Foreign Ministerial Meeting

April 16, 2009
Japanese

(photo)

On April 16, 2009 (Thursday) (JST), for about 20 minutes from just after 5:10 p.m. Minister of Foreign Affairs Hirofumi Nakasone and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Manouchehr Mottaki, currently visiting Japan, held the Japan-Iran Foreign Ministerial Meeting.
Minister Nakasone welcomed Minister Mottaki’s visit to Japan for the Pakistan Donors Conference and the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) Ministerial Meeting, and expressed the desire for closer relations between Japan and Iran in this year, the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Minister Mottaki responded that he wished to seize the opportunity of this visit to Japan to put his efforts into strengthening the relations between the two countries.
The two ministers exchanged opinions on the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Minister Mottaki stated that Iran, as a member of Asia, was concerned about the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan for the sake of Asia as a whole, and Iran had cooperated in resolving the problems of Afghanistan for more than 30 years. Commending Japan’s assistance towards Afghanistan and Pakistan, Minister Mottaki expressed his desire to see bilateral cooperation on assistance to Pakistan in addition to Afghanistan, and the two ministers agreed that they would hold further discussions going forward.
With regard to US-Iran relations, Minister Nakasone encouraged Iran to take the initiative in taking constructive steps on this matter. Minister Mottaki mentioned that Iran would regard Japanese comments as the one from a friend, and responded that Iran had been listening respectfully and seriously to recent statements by leading US figures.
With regard to the nuclear issue, Minister Nakasone communicated Japan’s concerns, and encouraged Iran to make efforts to restore the trust of the international community.

(END)