JAPAN: Palestinian, Israeli and Jordanian ministers discuss MidEast peace in Tokyo

Record ID: 463693

  • Title: JAPAN: Palestinian, Israeli and Jordanian ministers discuss MidEast peace in Tokyo
  • Date: 3rd July 2008
  • Summary: (MER-1) TOKYO, JAPAN (JULY 02, 2008) (REUTERS) FOREIGN MINISTER OF JAPAN MASAHIKO KOMURA, MINISTER OF PLANNING OF THE PALESTINIAN NATIONAL AUTHORITY (PNA) SAMIR ABDULLAH, MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION OF ISRAEL GIDEON EZRA AND FOREIGN MINISTER OF JORDAN SALAHEDDIN AL-BASHIR WALKING VARIOUS OF KOMURA, ABDULLAH, EZRA AND AL-BASHIR POSING FOR PRESS AND SHAKING HANDS KOMURA, ABDULLAH, EZRA AND AL-BASHIR SITTING AT ROUNDTABLE (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) FOREIGN MINISTER OF JAPAN, MASAHIKO KOMURA, SAYING: "It is crucial for us to continue the framework in order to share a common future." ABDULLAH SITTING AT ROUNDTABLE EZRA SITTING AT ROUNDTABLE AL-BASHIR SITTING AT ROUNDTABLE KOMURA, ABDULLAH, EZRA AND AL-BASHIR SITTING AT ROUNDTABLE OUTSIDE OF IKURA GUEST HOUSE WHERE MEETING IS TAKING PLACE
  • Embargoed: 18th July 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Reuters ID: LVA689Q8VGY48KZHRTOFY6823J32
  • Story Text: Four ministers from Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and Japan agree to continue their joint initiative on peace and prosperity in the region and start the development of the planned Agro-Industrical Park in Jericho.
    Israeli, Jordanian, and Palestinian ministers gathered in Tokyo on Thursday (July 3) for a seminar on the situation in the Middle East and to discuss the on-going "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity" initiative, which aims to bring economic prosperity to the region and contribute to create a viable Palestinian state.
    Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura met with the Minister of Environment Protection of Israel Gideon Ezra, Foreign Minister of Jordan Salaheddin al-Bashir and Minister of Planning of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Samir Abdullah at the official Ikura Guest house in Tokyo on Wednesday (July 2).

    "It is crucial for us to continue the framework in order to share a common future," said Komura as he started the discussion.
    At the meeting, the four parties agreed to start the development of the planned Agro-Industrial Park in Jericho, with the possible extension to adjacent area in the future.
    Ezra, al-Bashir and Abdullah also exchanged their views with Tatsuo Arima, Special Envoy of the Government of Japan for the Middle East, at the seminar held in Tokyo.

    "It is anticipated that this Agro-Industrial Park will create 6,000 job opportunities for the Palestinians at its maximum possible capacity, if private sector investment is attracted and factories are fully installed," said Arima, as he announced the outcome of the meeting.
    Japan is planning to extend its Official Development Assistance (ODA) for the park development to create basic infrastructure when a final decision is made among the four parties on the grand design of the park.

    "Although this initiative is not the solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we believe strongly that this initiative will help build confidence between both sides by contributing to the creation of a future viable Palestinian economy and ultimately giving the Palestinian youth a hope for the future peace and prosperity," said Arima.
    The parties shared their views to continue consultations at various levels, and confirmed that the next technical-level meeting will be held in the region in Autumn 2008.
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