Jordan Times
Friday, December 9, 2005
Jordan, Japan see eye to eye on Mideast issues
TOKYO (Agencies) — King Abdullah and Japanese
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Thursday agreed to continue their support
for Iraq's reconstruction and the Middle East peace process.
The King praised Japan's work in Iraq and told Koizumi that he hoped the
December 15 parliamentary elections would help establish a well-balanced new
government representing groups including Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds, a foreign
ministry official told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
“If moderate people from the Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds participate in the
upcoming elections, they will be able to create a moderate parliament, which in
turn will help Iraq have a bright future,” the King said.
Also on Thursday, Koizumi announced an extension of Japan's non-combat troop
deployment in Iraq by one year.
The King also expressed high expectations for Koizumi's contribution to the
Middle East peace process when the Japanese leader visits Israel and the
Palestinian territories next month, the ministry official said.
Koizumi's visit to the region — the first by a Japanese leader in a decade — is
part of Japan's efforts to raise its diplomatic profile.
The two leaders saw eye to eye the need of international support for the
Palestinian Authority to ensure security, improve economy, create jobs and
alleviate poverty, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
During a lunch hosted by Koizumi, the Monarch also proposed a bilateral
political dialogue and asked for Japan's support to help Jordan's economic and
market reform.
King Abdullah thanked the Japanese government for its financial and technical
assistance.
Stressing Japan's support for the Kingdom against terrorism, Koizumi condemned
last month's suicide bombings at three hotels in Amman.
Also yesterday, the King met with Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.
Both sides praised the “historical and distinguished” relations between Jordan
and Japan, saying that they were keen on enhancing them, according to Petra.
Meanwhile, King Abdullah held talks on bilateral relations with President of
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Sadako Ogata, Chairman and CEO of
Japan External Trade Organisation Osamu Watanabe and Governor of the Japanese
Bank for International Cooperation Shinozawa Kyosuke.
During the talks, the Monarch reviewed cooperation between the two sides,
calling on Japanese companies to invest in the Kingdom and benefit from it as “a
gate for Iraqi and Palestinian markets.”
King Abdullah also talked about Jordan's modernisation plans and the National
Agenda of political and socio-economic reform for the coming 10 years.
For her part, Ogata said JICA, which provides technical training in Jordan for
Iraqis, was ready to accredit the Kingdom as a training centre for the region,
according to Petra.
Watanabe and Kyosuke said their organisations will encourage Japanese companies
to invest in Jordan.