Cooperation for Reconstruction of Iraq
- Partnership of Japan and France -

Meeting between Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin

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March 2, 2004

Reconstruction of Iraq is an important international agenda. For early recovery and reconstruction of Iraq, it is indispensable to continue and strengthen support through broad international cooperation. When Former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto visited Europe as Prime Minister Koizumi's Special Envoy last December, Japan, France and Germany shared this recognition, and since then, held talks on possible cooperation for reconstruction of Iraq by the partnership of these three countries. During the discussion between Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin which took place today, they reconfirmed their determination to meet the needs of the Iraqi population and bring them a concrete sign of solidarity. They are ready to promote common steps, in partnership with other countries and organizations. Japan and France have decided to move this cooperation forward by the following manner:

1. Drawing on their exemplary joint work in Cambodia in this field, Japan and France have agreed to cooperate on the support in the cultural areas, especially for rebuilding cultural facilities and heritages in Iraq, which are pride and moorings of the Iraqi people. Both countries will provide support, inter alia, for the exhibition of Iraq National Museum and rehabilitation of Iraq National Library and Iraq National Archives.
2. Sports could serve the Iraqi people as a symbol of hope and solidarity for reconstruction. Japan and France have agreed to support Iraqi athletes aiming to participate in international competitions.
3. Japan and France have agreed to focus their cooperation on the medical and health field which requires urgent attention. As a concrete measure, Medical staff of Al Mansur Teaching Hospital of Baghdad, to which France has been implementing cooperation, will take part in Japan-Egypt Joint Medical Training Course to be commenced on March 5 in Cairo. They have also agreed to explore further possibilities of cooperation in the medical field.
4. Japan and France will, with other partners, examine the possibility of organizing joint training sessions in such areas as electricity, agriculture and education.
5. Japan and France will continue their assistance to the NGO's working in Iraq and consider financial support to their projects.
6. The establishment of a Coordination Committee among Japan, France, and Germany was agreed by the three countries when Special Adviser to the Cabinet Secretariat Yukio Okamoto visited Europe this February. The first Coordination Committee meeting was held in Jordan on February 25 to discuss coordination and cooperation among the three countries on humanitarian and reconstruction projects for Iraq. The participants in the meeting agreed to explore further possibilities of cooperation through this Committee, inter alia, with regard to capacity building projects of Iraqi people in Jordan and to assistance to NGOs operating in Iraq.