Reception to Commemorate the 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Iraq

Message from H.E. Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone,
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Japan

May I offer my warmest congratulations to all of you here today gathered to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Iraq. Having His Excellency Mr. Hoshyar Zebari, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq present on this special occasion makes the event even more meaningful.

In November 1936 the first Japanese diplomatic mission opened its office in Baghdad, Iraq. Since then our bilateral relationship has gradually expanded. During the 1970's and 80's there were several thousand Japanese citizens residing in Iraq actively involved in various fields of business, to include the oil industry.

Although there was a time when our relationship had experienced a difficult period, since 2003 Japan has actively supported Iraq's reconstruction, through the dispatch of our Self-Defense Forces, dispensing 5 billion dollars worth of ODA, as well as providing 6.7 billion dollars worth of debt relief. That was because we believe successful reconstruction and stability of Iraq is directly linked to securing international peace and stability, thus, affecting Japan's national interests as well.

We are now witnessing improvements in Iraq's security and political situation; a joyous turn of events indeed.

Japan will continue to support Iraq's nation-building efforts by actively providing grant aid, technical cooperation and ODA support; more specifically we will assist by strengthening our bilateral economic and business relationships. In January of this year H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Former Prime Minister of Japan, paid an official visit to Iraq as a special envoy for H.E. Mr. Taro Aso, Prime Minister of Japan; wherein, a joint strategic partnership declaration was issued. Then in March of this year 12 Japanese companies from the commercial sector came together with Japanese government, and were dispatched as part of an economic mission to Iraq.

As our government continues to support our commercial sector in their endeavors in Iraq, we ask that the Iraqi government also continue its efforts to further the security and safety in the region. What was once a strong bilateral relationship should once again be reestablished. To actualize the vision of a broad, long-term, cooperative relationship, we must be committed to working together with both our government and commercial sectors, to effectively accomplish this pursuit.

19 June 2009
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Japan
Hirofumi Nakasone.