Japanese Government statement on Palestinian National Unity Government – Japanese Foreign Ministry press release/Non-UN document

Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations of the Foreign Ministry on the Formation of a National Unity Government of the Palestinian Authority

March 18, 2007

1. The Government of Japan welcomes the formation of a National Unity Government of the Palestinian Authority as a result of the peace efforts by President Abbas on March 17.

2. It is Japan's strong hope that, under the principle of co-existence and co-prosperity between Israel and Palestine, the formation of the new government will lead to resumption of the Middle East Peace Process and cessation of the violence, and Japan will continue to closely follow the actual steps to be taken by the new government.

3. Japan continues to support the peace efforts by the parties concerned through political dialogues with the two sides, assistance to the Palestinians and measures to promote confidence building, in addition to promoting the concept of "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity", for the advancement of the Middle East Peace Process.