Japan-Egypt Joint Statement

TOKYO, Japan, January 19, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Upon a kind invitation by H.E. Mr. Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, paid an official visit to Egypt on 16th, 17th January 2015.

President El-Sisi welcomed the visit of Prime Minister Abe and hoped that this visit will be a landmark in the historical friendship between Japan and Egypt. Prime Minister Abe reiterated Japan’s willingness to deepen its cooperation with Egypt in all fields.

Prime minister Abe, recalling the situation in the Middle East and showing strong solidarity with all people desiring peace in the region, highly valued Egypt’s efforts for achieving peace and stability in the region. Prime Minister Abe indicated that Egypt’s role for peace and prosperity in the Middle East region is vitally important. Prime Minister Abe reaffirmed Japan’s willingness to strongly support Egypt and advance together.

Both leaders renewed their commitment towards further strengthening the historical and friendly relations between the two nations, and reiterated their willingness to further develop their strategic relationship, to continue to work towards promoting regional and international peace and stability, and to increase cooperation between their respective governments, and business communities.

Both sides reaffirmed the need for continued high level visits with a view to further enhance their bilateral relations. Prime Minister Abe renewed his invitation to President El-Sisi to visit Japan. President El-Sisi accepted this kind invitation, and looks forward to visiting Japan in the near future.

Both sides reiterated their intention to further strengthen political and security dialogue to discuss international and regional matters. In addition, both sides decided to promote the dialogue and cooperation between their respective research institutions.

Prime Minister Abe reaffirmed Japan’s continued support to Egypt’s completion of the implementation of the Road Map, by holding the parliamentary elections and commends its endeavors regarding poverty alleviation, health care, education, vocational training, in addition to economic growth and industrial development.

Prime Minister Abe expressed confidence in the progress of economic reforms and recovery in Egypt. Japan appreciates the steps currently being taken by the Egyptian government to tackle much needed social economic reforms. As Egypt embarks upon its ambitious national plan of economic development including infrastructural development, both countries highlight the favorable prospects for enhanced cooperation between the respective business communities in view of expanding mutual relations of trade and investment. Japan looks forward to the Egypt Economic Conference to be held on 13th to 15th of March 2015.

Bilateral Relations:

Both sides reiterated that further development of economic relations was a main driving force towards strengthening the longstanding partnership between Egypt and Japan. Both sides welcomed the successful meeting of the Ninth Joint Egypt-Japan Business Council on 17th January 2015, and affirmed that further discussions on strengthening economic and investment relations through convening the Egypt -Japan Economic Working Group would contribute to enhancing the business cooperation between the two sides. President El-Sisi expressed his hope for participation of Japanese companies in the Suez Canal area development project and national projects in electric and energy sectors. Prime Minister Abe affirmed his intention as the government of Japan to encourage the entry of Japanese companies not only through ODA but also through JBIC finance and NEXI trade insurance.

Prime Minister Abe announced Japan’s intention to extend New ODA (Official Development Assistance) loans to Electricity Distribution System Improvement Project (24.762 billion Yen) and Borg El Arab International Airport Extension Project (18.2 billion Yen). President El-Sisi expressed his appreciation for Japan’s long-standing Official Development Assistance (ODA) such as Cairo Opera House, the Japan – Egypt Friendship Bridge and Cairo University Pediatric Specialized Hospital between the two countries, and highly valued the newly announced assistance as opening a new page of relationship between Egypt and Japan.

Prime Minister Abe expressed his attention to promote cooperation for improving irrigation facilities through the new Dairout group of regulators construction project funded by Yen-Loan, as well as for increasing income of farmers in Upper Egypt by technical cooperation.

President El-Sisi expressed his appreciation for Japan’s assistance in the Transportation field. Both sides resolved to closely cooperate for the steady implementation of the Greater Cairo Metro Line No.4 Phase 1 Project which is vital for mitigating traffic congestion and promoting tourism.

Both sides recognized that the Grand Egyptian Museum Construction Project is a reflection of the friendly and cooperative relationship between the two nations. They affirmed their intention towards an early completion of the project and shared the view on establishing a joint committee for this purpose.

President El-Sisi welcomed Japan’s willingness to study the possibility of cooperation in the field of renewable energy mainly the construction of Hurghada photovoltaic power plant, and in the field of electricity generation including the construction of a clean coal-fired power plant utilising the pioneering Japanese technology.

Both sides reiterated their willingness to promote vocational education and training in coordination with Japanese companies.

Both sides noted the importance of tourism in boosting economic growth and development. Prime Minister Abe welcomed the intention of Egypt Air to resume direct flight service to Japan. Prime Minister Abe emphasized the special admiration of the Japanese people to Egypt’s ancient heritage.

President El-Sisi welcomed the ABE Initiative (African Business Education Initiative for the Youth) which provides excellent opportunities for the capacity building of Egyptian youth and contributes to the promotion of Japanese investments in Egypt. Both sides expressed their determination to continue to support Egypt-Japan University for Science and Technology (E-JUST) and make it a centre of excellence to further extend Japan’s science and technology assistance in Egypt, Africa and Middle East. Both sides reiterated their commitments to complete the construction of university campus by the Egyptian government, and continued assistance by the Japanese government through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Japanese partner Universities.

Prime Minister Abe expressed his intention to cooperate for the realization of the universal health coverage (UHC) in Egypt through sharing Japan’s knowledge and experience.

Both side recognized that social participation, protection and empowerment of women are vital to realize sustainable and health economic development and confirmed to promote cooperation in this regard.

Both sides reiterated their willingness to strengthen youth exchanges including resuming young diplomat exchange. Prime Minister Abe expressed his intention to reinforce bilateral sports exchanges through the “Sport for Tomorrow” Program. President El-Sisi welcomed it and expressed his hope for strengthening sports exchanges with Japan, including martial arts.

Both sides decided to strengthen a wide range of cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries and stressed the importance of expanding Japanese language education. Both sides congratulated the 40th anniversary of establishment of the Japanese language and literature faculty in Cairo University.

Prime Minister Abe expressed gratitude for the warm assistance from the Egyptian government and people after the Great East Japan Earthquake and welcomed the outcome of the Egyptian competent authorities to revise the restrictions on imported food and products from Japan which have been maintained since the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Prime Minister Abe also expressed his willingness to provide Japanese experience and technology in the field of disaster risk reduction to assist Egypt in coping with the threat of natural disasters. President El-Sisi affirmed high-level participation of the Egyptian government and close cooperation at the Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction to be held in Sendai, Japan, in March 2015.

Cooperation for Regional and International Peace and Stability:

Both sides shared the importance of their contribution to regional and international peace, stability and prosperity efforts, particularly in the Middle-East and Africa. In this regard, Prime Minister Abe explained the policy of “Proactive Contribution to Peace” based on the principle of international cooperation and President El-Sisi appreciated the explanation. They further exchanged views on the wider security environment in East-Asia and confirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region in accordance with international law.

On the situation regarding the Korean Peninsula, both sides concurred that the agreement reached at the Six-Party Talks should be implemented. Both parties expressed hope that progress will be made in the talks between Japan and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on bilateral issues. Egypt stressed the importance of resolving the abductions issue as early as possible, and expressed its willingness to provide continued cooperation on this issue.

Both leaders agreed that terrorism and ideologically induced violence threaten regional and international peace, and gravely undermine economic and social development. Both sides acknowledged the serious scourge of terrorism and underlined its growing threat to stability worldwide. They strongly condemn all forms of terrorism, and call upon all states to actively and effectively confront all terrorist organizations without exceptions. Both sides confirmed their intention to cooperate in efforts to counter extremism. In this context Prime Minister Abe commended President El-Sisi’s Call for tolerance and mutual understanding among different religions which he spoke of on the occasion of the celebrations of Prophet Mohamed’s birth on January 3rd, 2015. Both leaders resolved to enhance cooperation in all aspects related to counter-terrorism; (on the basis of UNSC resolutions, in particular Res.2174 and 2178).

Prime Minister Abe highly appreciated Egypt’s enormous efforts in combating terrorism. Prime Minister Abe announced his intention to extend, with the approval of the Diet, a contribution amounting to US $500,000 through UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) for strengthening border administration by Egyptian authorities.

Both sides stressed the importance of preserving the territorial integrity of Iraq. Both sides commended the Iraqi government’s declared policy with regard to maintaining the rights of all its citizens regardless of their sectarian, religious or ethnic affiliation, in order to restore national unity among all Iraqi components.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to encourage a political solution to the Syrian crisis on the basis of the Geneva Communiqu? of June 30, 2012 , that would put an end to the bloodshed; preserve the independence and territorial integrity of Syria; and fulfill the aspirations of the Syrian people to a democratic state, and stressed the importance of improving the humanitarian situation. To that end, they reiterated their support to the efforts of the UN special envoy for Syria, and international efforts aiming at implementing security council resolutions 2170 and 2178.

Both sides were equally concerned about the situation in Libya, and were determined to take all appropriate measures to combat terrorism as well as to support the call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and engagement in the political dialogue. President El-Sisi pointed out the Libya Neighboring countries Initiative adopted in Cairo on August 25th, 2014 and importance of respecting the political will of the Libyan People as demonstrated during the last parliamentary elections and expressed support to the legitimate parliament and government in Tobruk. Both side commended the effort of the UN envoy in this regards.

Both sides called for the realization of a negotiated just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East based on relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, and the establishment of a sovereign, viable and contiguous Palestinian state living in peace and security with all its neighbors in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative. Both sides called on Israel to refrain from any unilateral actions including continued settlement construction and moves to change the status quo in East Jerusalem and its Holy Sites, and urged both sides to continue their negotiations to reach a “two-state solution”. President El-Sisi highlighted that the Palestine state should be based on the territories occupied since 4 June 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital.　 Prime Minister Abe commended Egypt’s role in the Middle East Peace Process.

Both sides recognized that Egypt’s efforts to reach a durable ceasefire in Gaza are indispensable and highly commendable. Furthermore, the two leaders underlined the need for fulfilling the commitments undertaken at the Cairo International Conference on Palestine towards the reconstruction of Gaza in order to bring about a fundamental change to its appalling conditions. The Japanese side appreciated Egypt’s crucial role for the fulfillment of the aforementioned goals. Egypt commended Japan’s supportive role for the peace process, in particular support for the West Bank and Gaza, and expressed appreciation of Japan’s important “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity” initiative which serves to promote peace and development in the region.

Both sides welcomed the cooperation between the two countries for sustainable economic and social development as well as peace and stability in Africa, and affirmed their intent to continue cooperation through the TICAD process, including the next TICAD summit meeting to be held in Africa. Prime Minister Abe announced his intention to extend, with the approval by the Diet, new assistance amounting to US $970,000 to the Cairo Center for Conflict Resolution and Peacekeeping in Africa (CCCPA), which has been playing an important role in maintaining peace and stability in Africa.

Both sides agreed to continue to cooperate to achieve progress on the UN Security Council reform.

Both sides reaffirmed the importance in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, as a high priority identified by the international community in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation. They reaffirmed the importance of the implementation of the final document of the 1995, 2000 and 2010 NPT Review Conference, including the 1995 resolution on the Middle East regarding the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons, and all other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. In this regard they particularly stressed the importance of achieving the universality of the Treaty on Non -Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). They expressed their willingness to continue to cooperate in promoting the principles and objectives as well as the full implementation of the NPT, including working towards a fruitful 2015 NPT Review Conference, which advances progress on the three pillars of the Treaty and regional issues, in particular the 1995 resolution on the Middle East.

Both sides shared the recognition of importance of promoting the rule of law at sea.

President El-Sisi expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Abe’s intention to strengthen support for the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) deployed in the Sinai Peninsula. Prime Minister Abe highly appreciated Egypt’s crucial role in the Middle East peace process. Prime Minister Abe announced his intention to extend, with the approval of the Diet, contribution amounting to US $1.04 million to MFO (Multinational Force and Observers).

Both sides recognized the importance of addressing the pressing global challenges including the formulation of the post-2015 development agenda and cooperation towards establishment of a new international framework in which all countries participate to be adopted at COP21, and reaffirmed their further cooperation to cope with these challenges.

President El-Sisi and Prime Minister Abe expressed full satisfaction at the intense and fruitful pace of the bilateral political dialogue, and pledged to further strengthen it. In this vein Prime Minister Abe renewed the invitation extended to President El-Sisi to visit Japan, President El-Sisi accepted the invitation to visit Japan during 2015.