Startup Meeting for Four-Party Consultative Unit for the Concept of the “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity” and the Third Conference for Confidence-Building between the Israelis and the Palestinians

Embassy of Japan

March 12, 2007

1) On March 14, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso will host a ministerial-level startup meeting for the Four-Party Consultative Unit for the concept of the “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity,” which will be attended by representatives of Israel , Palestine , and Jordan .

2) Participants in the meeting will include Mr. Shimon Peres, Vice Premier of the State of Israel; Dr. Sa’eb Erekat, Head of the Negotiations Affairs of the PLO, and Mr. Farouk Kasrawi, Special Advisor to His Majesty King Abdullah II.

3) The Japanese Foreign Ministry will also host the Third Conference for Confidence-Building between the Israelis and the Palestinians from March 14 to 15 in Tokyo .

4) Participants in the Conference include, in addition to the above-mentioned representatives, Dr. Tatsuo Arima, Special Envoy of the Government of Japan, Mr. Ryoji Tateyama, Professor of the National Defense Academy and other specialists from the Japanese side, and government officials and those concerned in academic and business circles from the Israeli, Palestinian, and Jordanian sides. The participants will exchange views, aiming at peaceful coexistence between the Israelis and the Palestinians, on the current political situation, measures toward the revitalization of the Palestinian economy, the concept of the “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity,” and the possibilities of regional economic cooperation.

5) This Conference, which follows the Second Conference held in July 2004, will be a part of Japan 's initiative for confidence-building between the Israelis and the Palestinians, one of Japan ’s policy pillars for promoting the Middle East Peace Process.

[Related links]

* Japan ’s emergency assistance to improve the humanitarian situation of the Palestinians (March 2, 2007)

http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2007/3/0302-2.html

* Japanese Foreign Minister Aso’s speech: “Middle East Policy As I See It” ( February 28, 2007 )

http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/english/html/pressreleases/2007/0228.htm

* On the Direct Talks between Israeli and Palestinian Leaders (Statement by Japanese Foreign Ministry’s Press Secretary) (December 25, 2006)

http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2006/12/1225-2.html