Japanese foreign minsiter concludes two-day visit to Damascus
Syria-Japan, Politics, 1/9/1999

Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura left Damascus today following a two-day official visit. Earlier in the day he met with Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and talks dealt with developments in the region and bilateral issues.

At a press conference he held on Friday evening in Damascus, the Japanese FM confirmed that his visit to Syria aims to consolidate and develop bilateral relations between Syria and Japan. Replying a question on his country's stand towards the Middle East peace process, especially on the Syrian track, Komura said, "What is important is to resume negotiations and take into consideration signed agreements among different parties."

Concerning Japan's aid to the countries of the region, Komura said: "We shall continue to render aid but there is nothing fixed, especially in regard to economic cooperation between Japan and the region's states."

Before leaving Damascus Komura and members of the accompanying delegation held a round of talks with the Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa and high-ranking ministry officials. The two sides discussed the Middle East peace process, the situation in Iraq and means of strengthening and boosting bilateral relations.

In a statement to local Syrian media, the official spokesman of the Japanese delegation, Masaki Okada, reiterated Japan's support for the inseparability between the Syrian and Lebanese tracks. He added that Japan is ready "to extend all possible support for the development of the occupied Arab territories and the whole Arab region."

Previous Stories:
  Japanese foreign minister in Egypt   (1/8/1999)
  British-Japanese agreement on the need to implement Wye river agreement   (1/7/1999)
  Japanese FM to start visit to the Middle East   (1/4/1999)

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