PM lauds fresh Japanese assistance for Pakistan

       
ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Monday said Pakistan attaches great importance to its friendly relations with Japan and regards it as an important friend and a development partner.  He said it was gratifying to note that Japan not only had promptly and timely delivered on its pledge made at Tokyo Donors Conference, but actively pursued with other donors to follow suite and had announced fresh assistance package of $500 Million today, at the Pakistan Development Forum.
Prime Minister Gilani was talking to Ms. Makiko Kikuta, Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan who called on him at the PM House here.
The Prime Minister appreciated that in the new package of $500 million, Japan stood out among Pakistan’s development partners by announcing fresh assistance of $350 million.
He also thankfully acknowledged the fact that in the Japanese assistance announced earlier in the day, half of the amount was the grant assistance.
The Prime Minister also conveyed the gratitude of his government to the Vice Minister for Japan’s major contributions towards earthquake, rehabilitation of IDPs and the relief assistance for the flood victims of Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan was keen to further enhance trade and investment ties with Japan and hoped that Japan would be encouraged by the Japanese government to take part by investing in the new power energy and infrastructure development projects.  
He called on Japan for convening the meeting of Japan Study Group on Trade and Investment to consider steps towards free trade agreement between the two countries. 
While emphasizing on his government’s policy of trade rather than aid, the Prime Minister hoped that both the countries will make progress in the commercial fields and Japan would facilitate enhanced exports from Pakistan to its markets.
The Prime Minister extended an invitation for the visit of Prime Minister of Japan to Pakistan in the near future and underlined the importance of Parliamentary exchanges between the two countries to foster closer people to people contacts.
The Prime Minister stated that despite the economic problems accentuated by the recent catastrophic floods, Pakistan remained steadfast in fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestation as the menace posed a serious threat  to not only Pakistan but also to the civilized world at large. 
It was his firm belief, he said, that a stable Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s vital interest and Pakistan hence wanted to be a part of the solution in Afghanistan. 
He called for a joint strategy between Pakistan and Japan for the development of Afghanistan.
Ms Makiko Kikuta termed Pakistan as an important country for the peace and stability of not only South Asia but also the world at large. 
He said her visit to Islamabad for attending Pakistan Development Forum had enabled her to have a better understanding of the situation Pakistan is placed in and the problems Pakistan was facing. 
Ms Makiko welcomed Prime Minister’s proposals for regular higher level contacts between the two countries, expansion of existing cooperation in trade, economic and investment fields, and for celebrating year 2012 jointly with an year long activities to mark the 60th Anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. 
She said the two Foreign Offices should discuss these proposals thoroughly for making progress on every proposed front.
She informed the Prime Minister that Japan would remain steadfast in its support to Pakistan to help overcome its difficulties and she would convey the invitation of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to her Prime Minister for undertaking an official visit to Pakistan at a mutually convenient date.
Japanese Ambassador Tadamichi Yamamoto, Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan and Ambassador Chihiro Atsumi, Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister for Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Senator Syeda Sughra Imam, Secretary Foreign Affairs and other senior officers were also present in the meeting.