Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan Mr. Kentaro Sonoura’s Visit to Iraq
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H.E. Mr. Kentaro Sonoura, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan, visited Baghdad, the Republic of Iraq.
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During his stay in Baghdad, Special Advisor Sonoura had meetings with H.E. Dr. Barham Salih, President of the Republic of Iraq, H.E. Dr. Adel Abdulmahdi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, H.E. Dr. Mohammed Al-Hakim, Minister of Foreign of Affairs of the Republic of Iraq, and H.E. Dr. Haider Al-Abadi, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq on 16th December.
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In the meetings, Mr. Sounoura delivered congratulatory messages from H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, on the formation of the new government in Iraq, and conveyed the expectations for the new Government and the people of Iraq to unite for the stability of security and reconstruction. He mentioned that Japan, public and private sectors alike, will continue supporting Iraq’s own efforts towards the reconstruction of the country.
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In addition, Mr. Sonoura followed up the new approach of the security-development nexus proposed at the “Senior Officials Meeting on Supporting Job Creation and Vocational Training to Facilitate Weapons Reduction for Iraqi Society” held in Tokyo in April this year, and confirmed the continued cooperation with the new Government of Iraq on the new initiative to promote weapons reduction and economic development in Iraq.
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In turn, the Iraqi side expressed deep appreciation for the assistance which Japan has provided to Iraq to contribute to improvement of humanitarian situation and reconstruction of the country, and stated its commitment to continue its efforts to achieve peace and stability in Iraq in cooperation with the international community.
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Furthermore, both sides agreed to promote exchanges in a wide range of fields including education, academic and sports, as both countries will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Japan and Iraq in 2019.