KUWAIT, Aug 26 (KUNA) -- After frank and candid talks between His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and visiting Japanese opposite number Shinzo Abe here on Monday a joint statement on bilateral relations, cooperation as well as stances of issues of common concern was issued.
The statement, titled "Joint Statement on the Strengthening of the Comprehensive Partnership towards Stability and Prosperity between the State of Kuwait and Japan", went as follows: H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, visited the State of Kuwait from August 25 to 27, 2013.
Prime Minister Abe met with H.H. Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, acting Amir and Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait.
On August 26, Prime Minister Abe met with H.H Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait, and they reaffirmed the importance of further expanding the bilateral cooperation. Recalling the state visit of H.H. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait, and the Joint Statement issued in March 2012, both sides welcomed the tangible progress of bilateral cooperation in the political and economic fields as well as in the cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
On behalf of the people of Japan, Prime Minister Abe expressed Japan's gratitude for Kuwait's generous donation of five million barrels of crude of oil, three million dollars to Aquamarine Fukushima and two million dollars to Japan Red Cross Society, as well as the reconstruction projects such as the procurement of new railway coaches, the inauguration of a children's care center and other projects in the affected areas of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Both sides expressed their intention to further strengthen the comprehensive partnership between the two countries towards the stability and prosperity through promoting various levels of cooperation as follows. Both sides also reiterated the importance of strengthening cooperation and consultation through such measures as follows: Firstly: Cooperation in the Political and Security Fields - Both sides emphasized the importance of holding the Second Meeting of the Joint Committee between the Government of Japan and the Government of the State of Kuwait as soon as possible. - Both sides expressed their intention to implement policy consultations between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries as soon as possible - Both sides expressed their willingness to promote a high-level political and security dialogue to discuss regional situations, maritime security, including the safety of the sea lanes and counter-piracy, non-proliferation, anti-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, among other issues between the Foreign and Defense Ministries of the two countries. - Both sides expressed their intention to enhance the coordination of assistance to developing countries, and in this regard, they welcomed the outcome of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) summit which was held in Kuwait in October 2012. The Japanese side welcomed Kuwait's initiative to establish and host the ACD provisional secretariat. - Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the signing of the Memorandum on Cooperation and Strategic Dialogue between Japan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on January 7, 2012, and with its Action Plan. They further expressed their intention to deepen and expand dialogue and cooperation between Japan and the GCC at the ministerial level and senior officials' level.
Secondly: Cooperation on Regional and International issues - Both sides confirmed their commitment to a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. In order to achieve this goal at the earliest possible, they shared the urgent need to make a progress in the Middle East peace process and to reach the two-state solution aimed at establishing a Palestinian state that is sovereign, independent, united and viable and they underscored the need for the major international efforts to drive the peace process forward. The Kuwaiti side welcomed the decision made by the Government of Japan to recognize Palestine as a non-member observer state at the United Nations.
- Both sides expressed their deep concern regarding the escalating situation in Syria. Both sides called for the immediate cessation of violence in all its forms and peaceful dialogue, negotiations, convening the Geneva II Conference aiming to achieve political stability and economic and social development in an urgent manner. Both sides also expressed their deep concern over the alleged use of chemical weapons in the Gouta region of Syria on August 21, 2013 and called for the United Nations to promptly investigate into the allegations.
- Both sides expressed their satisfaction towards the positive outcome of the Donors Conference for the Syrian People, which was hosted by the State of Kuwait on January 29, 2013 o the request made by the Secretary General of the United Nations; which succeeded in mobilizing international financial resources in pledging over 1.6 billion dollars for the support of humanitarian operations in Syria. Both sides also urged all pledging countries to fulfill their financial commitments in a speedy manner.
- Both sides discussed the current situation in Egypt and stressed the importance of implementing the Roadmap as set out in its timetable, expressed their confidence that Egypt will overcome this critical period and return to exercising its leading role and influence regionally and internationally.
- Both sides emphasized their support for the international efforts exerted for a peaceful and negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, and urged Iran to respond to these efforts by fully implementing the relevant United Nations Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors resolutions. They also expressed their expectations for Dr. Hassan Rohani, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, to cooperate with the international community.
- Both sides hoped that the Iraqi Government and its people would overcome the current political challenges peacefully through dialogue and would make efforts towards the stabilization of the security situation, the reconstruction of its economy, and the the respect of the sovereignty of its neighbors in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
- Both sides reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and expressed their intention to continue urging North Korea to take concrete actions and fully implement the denuclearization commitments according to the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and its declared commitments under the 2005 Six-Party Talks Joint Statement. In this context, both sides expressed their deep concern over North Korea's continued development of its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles programs and its uranium enrichment activities. The Kuwaiti side shared Japan's strong position that North Korea should address the humanitarian concerns of the international community, including the abduction issue.
- Both sides expressed their readiness to strengthen their cooperation in the international arena. They reaffirmed the importance of joint efforts in order to achieve urgent reform of the United Nations Security Council, including the expansion of the permanent and non-permanent membership of the Security Council.
Thirdly: Cooperation in the Fields of Economy, Agriculture, and Medical Services - Both sides stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral economic and technical cooperation, and expressed their commitment to working together to further promote trade, investment and business between the two countries. In this regard, both sides welcomed the entry into force of the Convention between Japan and the State of Kuwait for the Avoidance of Double Taxation on Income, and reaffirmed the importance of the of the early entry into force of the Agreement between Japan and the State of Kuwait for the Promotion and Protection of Investment.
- Both sides reiterated the importance of the stability of the global energy market and welcomed Kuwait's to supplying oil to Japan in a continuous and stable manner. Both sides welcomed the energy cooperation between the two countries, particularly joint investment in refinery projects in third countries.
- The Japanese side welcomed Kuwait's decision to review its offset program in order to ensure a better business environment for Japanese companies in Kuwait.
- Both sides reiterated the importance of the annual Japanese-Kuwaiti Businessmen Committee in promoting the business relations between the two countries.
- Both sides welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation for the policy dialogue on the National Development on the occasion of this visit.
- Both sides expressed their intention to facilitate policy dialogue among Japanese and Kuwaiti ministries and agencies concerned with the National Development Plan of Kuwait.
- Both sides welcomed Japan's contribution to the socio-economic competitiveness, reform and infrastructure development of Kuwait, as well Japan's intention to actively participate in the formulation of the 2nd National Development Plan of Kuwait.
- The Kuwaiti side expressed its willingness to benefit from Japan's knowledge and experience in this regard.
- Both sides expressed their intention to expand bilateral cooperation on infrastructure in Kuwait such as Independent Water and Power Producer (IWPP), wastewater treatment, refinery construction, metro project and integrated solar combined cycle in Kuwait.
- Both sides welcomed the dispatch of a Japanese business mission on energy conservation and renewable energy to Kuwait in 2012 by Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME) and decided to implement training programs for the Ministry of Electricity and Water of Kuwait regarding desalination technologies and water reuse within 2013.
- Both sides welcomed the long-standing implementation of training programs for engineers and dispatch of experts of oil industry including refinery by Japan Cooperation Center, Petroleum (JCCP).
- Both sides welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for the provision of services between Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) and the Civil Services Commission of the State of Kuwait in May 2013.
- The Kuwaiti side welcomed the establishment of the new scheme of cost-sharing technical cooperation for human resources development by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
- Both sides expressed their intention to share Japan's experience in the health sector and facilitate medical exchanges and cooperation via mutual visits, conferences, seminars, and human resources development in the health sector between the two countries. In this regard both sides expressed their intention to work together in order to raise the level of quality of medical services in Kuwait by utilizing Japan's advanced medical and information technology.
- Both sides expressed their intention to promote cooperation in the field of nuclear safety and disaster management, in particular, means to ensure the safety of foods and water as well as provision of accurate information by sharing Japan's experience and the lessons learned from the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant of Tokyo Electric Power Company.
- Both sides expressed their intention to promote mutual understanding of food cultures and information exchange between Japanese and Kuwaiti food industries in order for Japan to contribute to the healthy and rich dietary customs of the people of Kuwait.
- Both sides welcomed Kuwait's decision to lift its restrictions on food imports from Japan.
- Both sides expressed their intention to cooperate in order to resume the negotiations of the Free Trade Agreement between Japan and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) member states.
- Both sides shared the common recognition to the actively participate in the 3rd Japan-Arab Economic Forum and contribute to the success of the Forum, to be held in Tokyo at the end of 2013.
Fourthly: Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges - The Kuwaiti side welcomed Japan's consideration of the waiver of visas for Japanese and Kuwaiti diplomatic or official passport holders, seeking entry, into the other country for diplomatic or official purposes, or for a temporary visit.
- Both sides expressed their intention to promote bilateral cooperation in the fields of education, culture, sports, science, and technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
- Both sides welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of higher education and scientific research between the two countries on the occasion of this visit.
- Both sides emphasized the importance of the increase in number of Kuwaiti students who study in Japan, while noting Japan's policy to invite trainees from the Middle East and send in return Japanese instructors to the region which will amount to 20,000 people over the next five years.
- Both sides expressed their willingness to enhance mutual exchanges in the field of sports and culture. In this regard, the Japanese side expressed its intention to dispatch to Kuwait a mission of sports and culture experts, which may propose initiatives for both countries.
- The Kuwaiti side welcomed the desire of the Japanese side to participate in fairs that will be held in Kuwait. (end) ibi.mb KUNA 262229 Aug 13NNNN