Meeting between Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and Ambassadors of Arab Countries in Tokyo

December 19, 2003

1. Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi hosted a dinner meeting with the ambassadors of the Arab countries in Tokyo on December 19. This event was organized as part of Japan's efforts to strength its dialogues with the Arab and Islamic countries.
2. At the dinner, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi expressed the Japan's intention to work for the reconstruction of Iraq in coordination with the international community, particularly with the cooperation of the Middle Eastern and Arab countries. She also stated that Japan will actively extend humanitarian assistance and assistance for reconstruction of Iraq, including the dispatch of Self Defense Forces (SDF).
   On the issue of the Middle East peace process, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi acknowledged that in solution of the Palestinians issue is the fundamental key to the peace and stability in the Middle East. Minister Kawaguchi further stated that Japan from this standpoint is actively providing assistance to the Palestinians and she announced that additional assistance totaling approximately US$6 million is scheduled to be implemented soon through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This additional assistance is intended to improve the humanitarian situation of the Palestinians. The ambassadors also attended the dinner expressed their gratitude for Japan's assistance to the Palestinians. They also expressed their expectations that Japan continue its efforts in the future.
3. In addition, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi remarked that Japan intends to keep its efforts to continue "dialogues" with the Middle Eastern and Arab countries, including dialogues in such areas as culture, for the purpose of enhancing their mutual understanding. The Minister also expressed her hope as well as part of such efforts to increase occasions for dialogues in Tokyo. In response, the ambassador expressed their strong expectations that dialogues between Japan and the Middle Eastern and Arab countries be further strengthened.