Visit by Prime Minister Abe to Egypt – Middle East peace process/Joint Japan-Egypt statement – Japanese Foreign Ministry press release/Non-UN document (excerpts)

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JAPAN-EGYPT JOINT STATEMENT ON THE OCCCASION OF THE VISIT BY PRIME MINISTER ABE TO THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT

May 2, 2007

H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, made an official visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt on May 2, 2007.

During his visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Mohammad Hosny Mubarak held a meeting and issued the following statement towards the development of strategic relations between Japan and the Arab Republic of Egypt.

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9. As for the Middle East peace process, both sides reaffirmed that ensuring a just and comprehensive solution of the Arab-Israel conflict is one of the keys to achieving stability and prosperity in the Middle East. In this context, the Japanese side reiterated its welcome for the numerous constructive messages delivered at the 19th Arab League Summit in Riyadh on March 29th, which are based on the Arab Peace Initiative and aiming at resolving the Arab-Israel conflict. Both sides expressed their strong hope that, under the principle of co-existence and co-prosperity among all the countries in the region, the Middle East peace process would be resumed as soon as possible. Prime Minister Abe appreciated Egypt's considerable efforts for resolving the impasse and the stalled peace process including its mediation for cessation of violence among the Palestinian groups and for the release of the kidnapped Israeli soldier. President Mubarak expressed his appreciation for Japan's active contribution to the Middle East peace process and its assistance for the Palestinian people, and welcomed Japan's initiative for the "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity". In the context of this initiative, both sides expressed their hope to expand cooperation in the Palestinian territories for the benefit of the Palestinian people.

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