News
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Japan to apprise G 8 of Pakistan’s anti-terror efforts: FM
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura on Saturday met President Pervez Musharraf and assured him that Japan would apprise the G-8 member states of Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism and militancy. Koumura praised Pakistan’s role in promoting peace and economic, and regional stability, and its contribution in the fight against terrorism and extremism. He said that Japan would contribute to the development of the Tribal Areas through assistance in the fields of education and health. He congratulated the president on the transition to democracy and expressed Japan’s support for Pakistan’s stability and economic progress. He said the stability and development of Pakistan was linked to regional and international security and development, and praised Musharraf’s contribution for promoting bilateral relations between the two countries and conveyed the greetings of Japanese leadership. He said that Japanese business entities would be encouraged to invest in Pakistan. The president thanked the Japanese government for its assistance and support to Pakistan, saying that Japan was an important development partner of Pakistan. He said that Pakistan valued Japanese assistance for the reconstruction of the areas devastated by 2005 earthquake. Musharraf said he hoped that the economic relations between the two countries would continue to grow. He called for more Japanese investments in Pakistan and Pakistani exports to Japan to achieve bilateral trade balance. The president referred to various mechanisms for bilateral co-operation between the two countries, including Pakistan-Japan Business Forum, which has set up a study group to examine the possibility of increased economic interaction, including a Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and Japan.
Courtesy Daily Times