Japan FM, AL chief confirm coop. for ME peace

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmad Abul-Gheit on Wednesday confirmed their continued cooperation for the peace and stability of the Middle East, Japan's Foreign Ministry said. Regarding the situation in Gaza, Kamikawa said during her talks with Abul-Gheit in Tokyo that she will continue to urge all parties to abide by international law, and to make diplomatic efforts to realize the release of prisoners and a ceasefire as soon as possible, according to a press release from the ministry. She also said that Japan is encouraging South East Asian countries to get involved in supporting Palestine through the Conference on cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD). Kamikawa said Japan-Arab cooperation is steadily developing under the platforms of the "Japan-Arab Political Dialogue" and the "Japan-Arab Economic Forum," expressing her hope that the two sides will discuss specific measures to further deepen the economic partnership betwee n Japan and the Arab countries as reliable partners at a ministerial conference of the 5th Japan-Arab Economic Forum on Thursday. In response, Abul-Gheit said he would like to further deepen Japan-Arab relations through the forum. Meanwhile, Kamikawa and Abul-Gheit agreed to continue cultural and education cooperation as well as people-to-people exchange between Japan and the Arab League. They also confirmed that the two sides will maintain and strengthen a free and open maritime order. In addition, they agreed to advance bilateral cooperation in fields including Women, Peace and Security (WPS), as they exchanged views on women's advancement in society. Source: Kuwait News Agency