Visit to Japan by Two Palestinian Authority Ministers
(Outline and Evaluation)
February 2004
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nabeel Shaath and Minister of Finance Salam Fayad of the Palestinian Authority visited Japan from February 11 to 14 to attend the Third Japan-Palestinian Ministerial Political Consultation Meeting and the Japan-Palestinian Joint Committee Meeting (the first meeting was held in 2000 and the second in 2002), and held discussions with Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi and other relevant officials, as well as paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. The outline of the meetings is as follows.
1. Major Consultations During the Visit to Japan
February 12: Japan-Palestinian Ministerial Political Consultation Meeting with Foreign Minister Kawaguchi; dinner hosted by Foreign Minister Kawaguchi; meeting with Senior Vice Minister of Finance Keiichi Ishii; lunch hosted by the Japan-Palestinian Diet Members' Association; and Japan-Palestinian Joint Committee Meeting (on politics, economic cooperation, culture, industry and private investment)
February 13: Courtesy call paid on Prime Minister Koizumi, Secretary-Generals of the ruling parties, (Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and New Komeito Party) Speaker of the House of Representatives Yohei Kono and Minister of the Environment Yuriko Koike; opinion exchange with officials in the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and others.
2. Outline of the Japan-Palestinian Ministerial Political Consultation Meeting
During this visit, both sides exchanged opinions on the necessary measures to overcome the current stalemate between the Israelis and the Palestinians, which once saw a sign of peace with the announcement of the "roadmap" last spring, as well as on assistance to the Palestinians.
(1) Foreign Minister Kawaguchi noted as follows:
(a) Japan highly values the various reform efforts by the Palestinian side toward the establishment of an independent state in the future. In particular, with regard to financial reform, efforts toward unification of revenues are being implemented. Japan is providing assistance for such reform efforts.
(b) It is important for the Palestinian side to make sufficient efforts to improve the security situation and their efforts to crack on terrorism Japanese officials related to economic cooperation are not able to enter the territories, and the amount of assistance to the Palestinians has consequently decreased.
(c) Cooperation from Israel is also essential. Specifically, on the issue of construction of "barriers" by the Israelis within the Palestinian territories, Japan is working at every possible occasion to call upon them to halt its construction.
(2) The Palestinian side noted as follows:
(a) The Palestinian side highly evaluated the role Japan has played thus far and the assistance it has provided. They expressed their appreciation for Japan's position on the issue of construction of "barriers".
(b) To improve the security condition, with the mediation of Egypt, consultation with Hamas and other such radical groups to reach a cease-fire is in progress. However, as long as Israel does not present its compliance to agree to a cease-fire, persuasion toward it would be difficult. In addition, it is vital to effectively monitor the cease-fire. Japan is welcomed as a friend in the Palestinian territories and is not subject to terrorism.
(c) The Palestinian side expects Japan not only to provide assistance but to also deeply participate in decision making of a Peace Process. They expect Japan to join the Quartet and it becoming a member of Quintet. Furthermore, they suggested holding in Japan the meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) on Assistance for the Palestinians which is held twice a year.
(d) In consideration to the extremely severe situation the Palestinian territories is in, the Palestinian side requested for expansion in the scale of Japanese assistance to the Palestinians, resumption of direct assistance from Japan to the Palestinians and financial support.
(e) The Palestinian side expects the issue of peace in the Middle East to be fully and thoroughly discussed at the Arab League Summit scheduled to be held in March.
3. Outline of the courtesy call paid on Prime Minister Koizumi
(1) Prime Minister Koizumi noted as follows:
(a) Stability in the Middle East is an issue of interest for the entire world; if there is no peace in the Middle East, then the entire world becomes unstable.
(b) Although the issue of peace in the Middle East is complicated, the entire world is hoping for peace through the coexistence of two states, Palestine and Israel. The task is how to suppress the radical groups that do not want peace. Realization of peace would be difficult unless the issue of radical groups is adequately solved.
(c) Currently, Japan is engaged in reconstruction assistance to Iraq, however, not only the issue of Iraq, but also the peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis is an issue that touches on the fundamentals of stability in the Middle East as a whole. Japan will endeavor to provide as much effort as possible.
(2) The Palestinian side noted as follows:
(a) The Palestinian side expressed their appreciation for the assistance to the Palestinians that Japan has provided thus far amounting to a total of more than 650 million dollars since 1993. They expect further and deeper involvement of Japan in the Peace Process and others.
(b) The issue of peace in the Middle East has reached an important phase. The Palestinian side intends to resume negotiations in accordance with the "roadmap." They recognize that eradication of terrorism is important and have provided as much effort as possible in the area of maintaining security. Ensuring a cease-fire is important for resumption of negotiations, and the cooperation of Israel as well as halting the construction of "barriers" is necessary.
(c) Finance Minister Fayad has exerplipied remarkable skill in increasing transparency in fiscal management and other financial reforms. The Palestinian side requested Japan to provide budgetary support so as to help the Palestinian Authority and facilitate peace.
4. Evaluation
(1) Japan has been providing a significant amount of assistance and contribution to the Middle East Peace Process for the peace and stability in the Middle East, such as its reconstruction assistance to Iraq. The issue of peace in the Middle East is the key element to the peace and stability of the Middle East. Through the visit of these two ministers this time, the Japanese side obtained an opportunity to consider the modality of its cooperation so as to provide more effective cooperation by exchanging opinions in a timely manner with key ministers of the Palestinian Authority who are the direct interest parties of peace, and by affirming the importance of making efforts to achieve peace.
(2) Through this consultation, Japan received a high appraisal of its role from the Palestinian side who also expressed their expectation for the further involvement of Japan in areas such as the political role and assistance to the Palestinians.
(3) This is the third visit by ministers to Japan that included meetings and close exchanges with Prime Minister Koizumi and other relevant officials of the Government and members of the Diet, and it has contributed to further strengthening ties between Japan and the Palestinians.
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