VISIT OF THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF EGYPT TO JAPAN

• The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, paid an official visit to Japan on the 15th and 16th of May 2006. The visit came in the context of the “Japan-Egypt Partnership Program” that was initiated by Egypt and Japan at the summit level in 1999, and represented one of the many steps that were taken ever since by both countries to further advance the bilateral relationship that exists between them.
• During his visit to Japan, Minister Aboul Gheit paid a courtesy call to the Prime Minister H.E. Junichiro Koizumi. He also held a series of extensive discussions and meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Taro Aso, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, H.E. Shinzo Abe, the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Ms. Sadako Ogata, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, H.E. Yohei Kono.
• In all of his meetings with the Japanese officials and dignitaries, Minister Aboul Gheit discussed a wide array of regional and international issues of common interest to both Egypt and Japan, including the peace process in the Middle East and the situation in Iraq. He also discussed a broad range of issues pertaining to Egyptian-Japanese relations and proposed the idea of holding a regular Strategic Dialogue between the two countries at the level of Foreign Ministers or their deputies.
• Minister Aboul Gheit also expressed, on behalf of the Government and people of Egypt, his sincere gratitude and appreciation for the sustained assistance that Japan has provided, and continues to provide, in support of Egypt’s development efforts. During his visit, Minister Aboul Gheit also presided over the signing ceremony for two major projects that the Government of Japan has generously decided to support, namely the “Grand Egyptian Museum” and the “Environment Pollution Abatement Project”. The ceremony was held at the headquarters of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).
• During his visit, Aboul Gheit was also awarded the “Peace Pole” and a “Certificate of Merit” from the Goi Peace Foundation in recognition of Egypt’s leading role in advancing peace in the Middle East, strengthening multilateral institutions, and promoting dialogue among civilizations and cultures.