Meeting between H.E. Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and a delegation headed by H.E. Dr．Hussain Ibrahim Al-Shahristani, Minister of Oil and H.E. Mr. Fawzi Hariri, Minister of Industry and Minerals of the Republic of Iraq

July 10, 2009
Japanese

On July 10, H.E. Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan met a delegation headed by H.E. Dr．Hussain Ibrahim Al-Shahristani, Minister of Oil and H.E. Mr. Fawzi Hariri, Minister of Industry and Minerals of the Republic of Iraq, on the occasion of their visit to Japan to attend the Iraqi Investment Seminar held in Tokyo in the morning of the same day.
At the meeting, Mr. Nakasone stated as follows.

1) Mr. Nakasone welcomed the delegation’s visit to Japan on the occasion of the Iraq Investment Seminar. He hoped that the activities of Japanese private companies would be accelerated through the Seminar.
2) Mr. Nakasone was delighted to see that the security situation in Iraq has been improved in general, and stated that the strengthening of business relationships is important for the building of a mid and long-term strategic partnership between the two countries. Mr. Nakasone mentioned that Japan would like to continue to cooperate and work with Iraq in that area.
The Iraq side responded as follows.

1)  The Iraqi side expressed their gratitude towards the reconstruction assistance from Japan, including the dispatch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
2)  The Iraqi side also stated that the security situation is improving and the opportunities for Japanese companies were enormous. They strongly hoped for an increased investment in Iraq by Japanese companies, as it is an urgent challenge to rehabilitate such infrastructure as roads, bridges, airports, seaports in addition to the oil and gas sectors. They confirmed that the Government of Iraq would offer the highest consideration for Japanese companies to come to Iraq.
3)  The Iraqi side explained that this was not only because Japanese companies have superiority in its quality, but also because the further strengthening of the closer bilateral relationship between Japan and Iraq would contribute to the national interests of both countries.
The meeting ended in a sociable atmosphere, both parties confirming that they will continue the efforts for strengthening the bilateral economic and business relations between the two countries.

(END)