F  The Middle East and North Africa

   Ensuring peace and stability in the Middle East region is an issue that directly affects the peace and prosperity of the international community as a whole and is also vital for the energy security of Japan. However, the Middle East region faces numerous issues that directly influence the stability of the region, including Middle East peace process, situations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the nuclear development by Iran. In addition, various changes in the social structure are now underway, including demographic shifts resulting from the increasing number of young people, changes in the balance between Sunnis and Shiites and between secularists and Islamists, and a heightening of anti-American sentiment.

   Against this backdrop, Japan is proactively engaged in the Middle East diplomacy, pursuing the dual goals of ensuring peace and stability in the Middle East in cooperation with the international community, which constitutes one part of the Arc of Freedom and Prosperity, and of securing Japan's energy security.

   Generally speaking, the political situation in Iraq has been steadily progressing, however the security situation still remains uncertain. Japan, considering the necessity to implement appropriate assistance as a responsible member of the international community, has made the utmost efforts through the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to Iraq as well as the provision of ODA amounting to a maximum of US$5billion as the “two wheels of one cart.” While the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) dispatched in Samawah for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance has finished its activities in June, the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) continues to implement activities for the assistance.

   As for the Middle East Peace Process, Japan, regarding the co-existence of the two states of Israel and Palestine as the only way to peace, has been promoting political dialogues and confidence building as well as providing assistance to the Palestinians. In July 2006, Prime Minister Koizumi visited Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan and encouraged directly each leader to realize peace through dialogue.

   Since 1993, Japan has extended a total of approximately US$900 million in assistance to the Palestinians. On the occasion of Prime Minister Koizumi's visit to the Middle East, proposed the concept of a “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity”, which aims for the development of the Jordan River Rift Valley through regional cooperation towards co-existence and co-prosperity in the future, and this initiative was welcomed by the leaders of Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan.

   Regarding the conflict between Israel and Lebanon, Japan contributed approximately US$2million for clearing of mines and unexploded ordnance through the Trust Fund for Human Security and extended emergency grant aid amounting to a total of US$5million to Lebanon for medical equipment, tents, etc.

   For Afghanistan, Japan has extended assistance for the progress of the political process, improvement of public security and reconstruction, based on the concept of “consolidation of peace.” In January 2006, at the London Conference on Afghanistan, Japan announced additional assistance of US$450million adding to the assistance of approximately US$1billion which had already been provided to Afghanistan. This totaled Japan's assistance from September 2001 to September 2006 up to approximately US$1.1billion. Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration of Ex-Combatants (DDR) activities, led by Japan, were completed at the end of June 2006. It was aimed at approximately 60,000 people and has shown significant progress. As for the fight against terrorism by the international community, Japan in October extended the period of its Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law so as to participate actively and substantively in supporting the efforts made at the maritime interdiction operation in the Indian Ocean.

   Iran's nuclear issue could have a negative influence on the international non-proliferation regime and the stability of the Middle East as a whole. The international community expressed its unanimous concern over the issue with the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1737. Japan has been, based on the traditional friendly relationship, actively urging Iran, a major regional power in the Middle East, to play an even more constructive role in the peace and stability of the Middle East and the international community as a whole, while promoting the implementation of the Resolution.

   There were active VIP visits between Japan and the Gulf countries, such as the visit of Crown Prince Sultan of Saudi Arabia in April. As for economic relationship, based on the partnership being developed and deepened further in the area of trade and investment, efforts towards strengthening the relationship have been accelerated, including the launch of negotiations for concluding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in September, the launch of negotiations for concluding Avoidance of Double Taxation Treaty with the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, and the resume of the negotiations on Bilateral Investment Treaty and the agreement for air services with Saudi Arabia. Moreover, the first meeting of the Japan-Qatar Joint Economic Committee was held in November 2006, and both Japan and Qatar agreed on strengthening bilateral relations in the area of investment and energy.

   In January 2006, Prime Minister Koizumi made the first visit in 15 years as an incumbent Japanese prime minister to Turkey, an important and stable country in the region. The two leaders agreed to strengthen the Japan-Turkey relations and to expand cooperation on various issues in the international arena including peace and stability in the Middle East.

   Furthermore, Japan is proriding various dialogue programs such as the fourth Japan Arab Dialogue Forum in May in Tokyo with the aim of promoting understanding of Japan's policies towards the Middle East and of deepening mutual understanding.