Joint Statement
by the Foreign Ministers of Japan and the Republic of Iraq

June 18, 2009

On 18th June 2009, H.E. Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and H.E. Mr. Hoshyar Mahmoud Zebari, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq, held a Japan-Iraq Foreign Ministerial Meeting on the occasion of Foreign Minister Zebari's visit to Japan from 17th to 22nd June 2009.

The two Ministers had an extensive discussion on the bilateral issues mentioned below and resolved to work together for the furtherance of the Japan-Iraq strategic partnership and for the peace and stability of the international community.

The Ministers welcomed the improvements in the security conditions in Iraq as well as the positive progress achieved in the political and economic fields in Iraq, while reiterating the importance of continued efforts by Iraq and the international community to make continued progress and to consolidate peace and stability in the region.

The two Ministers confirmed that the relationship between Japan and Iraq had entered a new phase and that additional impetus should be given to developing the relationship, especially this year on the occasion of the 70th anniversary since the establishment of the Japan-Iraq diplomatic relations. They emphasised their commitment to the Declaration on Establishing a Comprehensive Partnership between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Iraq issued on 28th January 2009, on the occasion of the visit to Baghdad of H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Former Prime Minister of Japan.

Foreign Minister Zebari expressed his deep appreciation, on behalf of the Government of Iraq, for the wide-ranging reconstruction assistance that Japan had been providing to Iraq and its people in political, economic and social spheres. He expressed also his gratitude in particular for the excellent, memorable work by Japan Self Defense Forces for the people of Iraq for over 5 years as well as for the seminars hosted by the Government of Japan on National Reconciliation of Iraq.

Foreign Minister Nakasone commended the Government of Iraq for its assiduous efforts in improving security in cooperation with the international community as well as bringing about positive developments in the country, leading to a democratic, pluralistic and unified Iraq that contributes to the security and stability of the region.

Foreign Minister Nakasone also welcomed the successful holding of the Iraqi provincial election in January and underscored the importance of ensuring that the national election scheduled for January 2010 be held in a peaceful, fair and transparent manner.

On cooperation in the political field, the two Ministers shared their intention to work together to:

• Enhance bilateral exchanges of views on regional and security issues;
• Maintain close cooperation for the peace and stability of the region. In this regard, the Japanese side will support the promotion of confidence building and enhancement of inter-regional relationship between Iraq and neighbouring countries through assistance of inter-regional nature such as energy and infrastructure; and
• Continue the Japan-Iraq High-level Policy Dialogue, the first of which was held in March 2009, once a year in either Tokyo or Baghdad in principle.

Discussing business and economic cooperation, the Ministers confirmed their resolve to work towards the followings:

• Increase bilateral cooperation in the energy field such as oil and gas, recognising the importance of mutual cooperation;
• Both sides look forward to increased activities of Japanese companies in the sectors of oil and gas as well as electricity. The Japanese side expects the Iraqi side to continue its efforts to improve security. The Iraqi side will implement measures to facilitate private sector activities, with regard to the level of technology attained by Japanese companies as well as their achievements and cooperation done in Iraq. The Japanese side intends to assist Iraq, effectively combining the resources of both the public and the private sectors. Both sides will provide private sectors, to the extent possible, with relevant information and assistance.
• Both sides work together to activate the relevant initiatives in this field, in particular: to dispatch an Iraqi Investment Mission to Japan; to hold the 2nd Japan-Iraq Business Forum in Baghdad; and to facilitate the holding of the 1st meeting of the re-established Japan-Iraq Joint Economic Committee. In this regard, the Iraqi side welcomed the Japanese Business Mission dispatched to Iraq in March 2009;
• Appreciating the reconstruction assistance provided by the Government of Japan, which is still in need, the Iraqi side shall render wide range of facilities to smoothly implement these development projects, while the Japanese side continues to consider relevant measures of assistance such as Japanese ODA Loans and others;
• Both sides will hold economic cooperation consultations, taking into account the new 5-year plan of Iraq, which is in the process of formulation;
• The Iraqi side highly appreciates the establishment of the overseas office of JICA in Iraq and commits to expedite the necessary procedures;
• The Japanese side will render support to the Iraqi efforts to accede to the WTO Agreement;
• Both sides underscored the importance of the steady implementation of the International Compact with Iraq and cooperate for a successful ministerial meeting to be held in or after autumn this year.

On cultural cooperation, the Ministers identified the following areas of cooperation:

• Pursue cooperation in the cultural field, including the ongoing Japanese support to Iraqi efforts for conservation of cultural properties in cooperation with UNESCO;
• The existing interests among the Iraqi universities towards Japanese language and Japanese studies were welcomed. The Japanese side, appreciating the Iraqi plan of dispatching students abroad, actively support the dispatches to Japanese universities;
• The Japanese side appreciates the visit of the Iraq's Government Survey Mission for Technology and Science sent to Japan in February 2009; and
• Both sides look forward to seeing increased academic exchanges, especially among the universities of both countries.