Wednesday, October 22, 2008

JAPANESE

The Participants of the 4th Conference for Confidence-Building between the Israelis and the Palestinians Pay Courtesy Call on the Prime Minister

Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving a courtesy call from the participants of the 4th Conference for Confidence-Building between the Israelis and the Palestinians (1)

Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving a courtesy call from the participants of the 4th Conference for Confidence-Building between the Israelis and the Palestinians (1)

Prime Minister Taro Aso received a courtesy call at the Prime Minister's Office from Mr. Meir Sheetrit, Minister of the Interior of Israel, and Dr. Sa'eb Erekat, Head of the Negotiations Affairs of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), who were visiting Japan to attend the 4th Conference for Confidence-Building between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

The Conference for Confidence-Building between the Israelis and the Palestinians was launched in 2003 as one of Japan's initiatives for promoting the Middle East Peace Process. The Conference, which is held in Japan, provides the invited government officials and academic experts from both sides with an opportunity to exchange views on issues pertaining to the peace negotiations and on the building of a Palestinian state that can coexist and prosper alongside Israel, thereby aiming to build mutual understanding and mutual confidence toward the realization of peace.

Japan promotes the "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity" initiative, which consists of establishing an agro-industrial park in the West Bank and exporting manufactured goods through Jordan to the Gulf nations. Prime Minister Aso, when he was Minister for Foreign Affairs, had attended the 2nd Ministerial-Level Meeting of the Four-Party Consultative Unit for the "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity," held in Jerico in August 2007.

Prime Minister Aso expressed his expectation for the Conference to result in productive talks that help advance the peace process. While acknowledging that it takes time to turn mutual distrust into mutual trust, the Prime Minister indicated Japan's intention to support the peace process through such channels as the "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity," which Japan promotes with Israel, Palestine, and Jordan. He also expressed his conviction that the peace process will gain greater momentum if it is linked to hope for the future and economic prosperity.

In response, Mr. Sheetrit and Dr. Erekat both expressed their strong appreciation and gratitude for Japan's contributions to the Middle East Peace Process, including the "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity" initiative. They stated that peace can be realized and expressed their determination to keep up the efforts in that respect.

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Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving a courtesy call from the participants of the 4th Conference for Confidence-Building between the Israelis and the Palestinians (2)

Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving a courtesy call from the participants of the 4th Conference for Confidence-Building between the Israelis and the Palestinians (2)

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  • Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving a courtesy call from the participants of the 4th Conference for Confidence-Building between the Israelis and the Palestinians (1)
  • Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving a courtesy call from the participants of the 4th Conference for Confidence-Building between the Israelis and the Palestinians (2)