Joint Statement on Deepening Relations between Japan and Israel on the Occasion of the Visit by Prime Minister Olmert to Japan

Embassy of Japan

February 27, 2008

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel made an official working visit to Japan on February 25-28, 2008. During his visit to Japan, the Prime Minister held a meeting with Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda of Japan, and both Prime Ministers issued a statement on deepening relations between Japan and Israel. They shared view that the Year 2012 that will celebrates the 60 th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between two countries will offer great opportunities to further strengthen the friendship in wide-ranging areas.

With regard to cooperation in the Middle East Peace Process and “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity [1]” initiative, the statement declared:

“Both sides reaffirmed that the solution of the Arab-Israel conflict will contribute to achieving stability and prosperity in the Middle East. In this context, Prime Minister Fukuda expressed his strong support for the ongoing bilateral negotiations between the Israeli and the Palestinian sides, which were relaunched at the Annapolis Conference of November 2007, in order to conclude a peace treaty between the two sides. Prime Minister Olmert reiterated his commitment to making every effort to conclude an agreement with the Palestinian side before the end of 2008 and Prime Minister Fukuda expressed Japan's readiness to extend necessary assistance to such peace efforts. In this context, Prime Minister Olmert expressed his appreciation for Japan's active contribution to the Middle East peace process and its assistance to the Palestinian people.

Both sides shared the vision of the two states, living side by side in peace and security, and reiterated their strong commitment to steadily and swiftly materialize Japan 's "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity" initiative with close and active cooperation among Israel, Japan, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. In this regard, both sides expressed their expectation that the third ministerial-level meeting of the Four-Party Consultation Unit [2] for the initiative would be held at an earliest possible opportunity.”

[1] On the occasion of then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s visit to the Middle East in July 2006, Japan proposed the concept of the “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity” which is aimed at contributing to creating a viable Palestinian Economy in the future by promoting the economic development in the Jordan Valley with a focus on the agro-indstry sector, to be achieved through regional cooperation. It was agreed upon the leaders of Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan. In order to materialize this concept, Japan hosted the ministerial-level startup meeting for the Four-Party Consultative Unit. For further information, please see:

http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/middle_e/peaceprocess/corridor/index.html

[2] The Four-Party Consultation Unit is a meeting established for the concept of “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity”, which will be attended by representative of Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Japan.

The transcript of the entire statement is available at:

http://www.mofa.go.jp/u_news/2/20080227_193238.html

[Related links]

* Statement by Mr. Masahiko Koumura, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Annapolis Conference (Nov. 2007)

http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/english/html/pressreleases/2007/1203.htm

* Middle East Peace Process

http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/middle_e/peaceprocess/support/index.html

* Japan-Israel Relations

http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/middle_e/israel/index.html

* Japan-Palestine Authorities Relations

http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/middle_e/palestine/index.html