Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan will promptly address the urgent need of Palestine including the reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip and will implement an Emergency Grant Aid of up to ¥1 billion Yen (or $10 million) through international organization, Japan’s Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu said.

“Due to the recent clashes, major damage has occurred in the Gaza Strip. Various needs for support have arisen, such as medical and health care needs, including novel coronavirus countermeasures, and food assistance needs. I have issued instructions for Japan to quickly implement humanitarian reconstruction efforts to meet those needs,” Motegi said.

During phone talks with Riad Malki on May 27, minister of foreign affairs and expatriates of Palestine, Motegi welcomed the ceasefire reached with Israel last week, and strongly encouraged the Palestinian Authority to continue implementing its efforts towards easing the tension in the region with a view to ensuring the lasting ceasefire.

Motegi also stated his determination to play an active role to achieve that goal.

The talks held today were part of Japan’s telephone diplomacy for the peace process. Yesterday, Motegi talked to the Jordanian and Israeli foreign ministers.

According to the foreign ministry in Tokyo, Motegi reaffirmed Japan’s support for a two-state solution regarding the Middle East Peace Process, and expressed his continued commitment to confidence-building measures among the concerned parties through Japan’s own initiatives such as the “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity” initiative and the “Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD).”

In reply, Malki expressed his gratitude for Japan’s assistance to Palestine and his respect to Japan’s long-standing commitment to and support for achieving peace in the Middle East. He also stated that Palestine is fully committed to achieving peace and will continue to make utmost efforts to realize peace and stability in the region, including sustaining the ceasefire.