Japanese, Iranian Leaders Agree to Enhance Bilateral TiesVisiting Iranian President Mohammad Khatami and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on Wednesday agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in various fields.In a joint statement issued after their 105-minute meeting, the two leaders agreed to expand personnel exchanges, boost economic cooperation, and jointly tackle such issues as drug trafficking, terrorism and disarmament so as to promote regional and international stability. After signing the statement, the two leaders told reporters that their meeting was a "significant opportunity to exchange views on major international and regional issues." Khatami's visit to Japan, the first by an Iranian leader since 1958, will constitute a "new starting point" in bilateral relations, Mori said. Khatami voiced the hope that bilateral cooperation will reach a higher stage in the fields of science, information technology and energy industries such as oil and gas. Japan and Iran reconfirmed that various measures will be studied to facilitate private economic activities including trade and long-term investment, said the statement. The two countries also confirmed the importance of stability on the oil market and of Iran's capacity to provide stable oil supplies, noting the favorable relations between the two countries in the development of oil and gas fields such as the Azadegan oil field in western Iran. Mori and Khatami also expressed "deep regret" over the loss of life in the clashes between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza and condemned the violence against civilians, the statement said. Khatami arrived here Tuesday for a four-day official visit. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |