Japanese Ambassador’s meeting with the Minister of State

(2011-05-25)

Minister of State, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, received Ambassador of Japan H.E.Hiroshi Oe, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, today. The Minister of State congratulated the Ambassador on the assumption of his new assignment in Pakistan.

Views were exchanged on ways and means to further strengthen and deepen the friendly and cooperative relations between Pakistan and Japan, especially in the light of the Joint Statement issued during President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to Japan. Matters related to enhanced market access for Pakistani products and increased Japanese investment in Pakistan also came under discussion.

The Japanese Ambassador referred to the recent visit of Japan’s Special Representative and the planned visit of Japan’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Koro Bessho, for political consultations.

The Minister underscored that Japan was Pakistan’s major development partner and had always supported Pakistan in testing times. Japan has played an important role in the socio-economic development of the country. Japan actively participated in the Friends of Democratic Pakistan forum, and hosted the FoDP Donors Conference in Tokyo in April 2009. Japan pledged US$ 1 billion at the FoDP Conference in Tokyo and extended US $ 500 million assistance, at the Pakistan Development Forum.

Pakistan donated two C-130 loads of relief goods and offered to send a 35 member Search and Rescue Team to Japan during the recent earthquake and tsunami. The Pakistani community in Japan also participated in efforts to provide some comfort to their Japanese friends affected by the twin disasters.

Islamabad
25 May 2011

183/2011