G8 stresses all-out assistance to quake-hit Japan

PARIS, March 15 (KUNA) -- Group of the eight industrialized countries asserted here Tuesday its support and offer of assistance to Japan.
This comes in the aftermath of the powerful earthquake that hit the country at a magnitude of nine on the richter scale, and led to the killing of 2,475 persons, and missing 3,611 others.
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said in a press conference following the finalization of the two-day meetings of G8 Foreign Ministers that the group's summit that will be held at the French city of Deauville next May will be devoted to serving Japan.
Meanwhile, Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara said that, "my country suffered from a natural disaster, and that this meeting is so important as we got support from participant countries with several offers of help." He also asserted that the Government of Japan will continue making efforts to curb the risks of nuclear plants, noting that, "the situation is difficult, and we must tackle it strictly and exert all efforts to find a solution to the problem." Meanwhile, Juppe said that G8 hails the historic dimensions of the events associated with liberating peoples in the Middle East and North Africa, "which are incidents that will change the international situation, and we are certain that situation will be for the better." He added that, "it is a good opportunity, and not risks even if situation is difficult in these countries because democracy and peace can advance hand in hand, particularly in the Middle East." Juppe also said that there will be a ministerial meeting within the 8th Future Forum that will include G8, Middle East, and North Africa countries, and will be hosted by the State of Kuwait next December under a joint chairmanship with France.
He added that EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton made a reference before the inferences made by the Council of European Union in what give a rise to the EU policy on neighboring and south countries, and relaunch the EU for the Mediterranean.
Juppe also said that G8 discussed anti-terror measures, and measures made by the group in this field to curb the spread of terror.
G8 also mulled Iran's nuclear issue, and North Korean nuclear file, Juppe said, saying that these countries should resume cooperation with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) along with respecting relevant UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, and noting that G8 next summit will reconsider this topic.
He also made clear that G8 welcomed the referendum of the secession of southern Sudan, and will contribute to the transitional period in Afghanistan in what makes power devolve to a free and sovereign government. (pickup previous) tm.aff KUNA 152153 Mar 11NNNN