Japan has promised to consider resumption of yen loans to Pakistan, which were suspended in the aftermath of 1998 nuclear tests, and in the meanwhile has agreed to send a mission to assess various projects under the 'five-year assistance programme for Pakistan'.
Japan has also agreed to "continue to hold high level economic consultation" with Pakistan and share the view to encourage and support the joint business dialogue scheduled in Karachi in February next year.
But before that a meeting at Foreign Secretary level will be held in October in Tokyo to what a Pakistan official described as "discussions on bilateral and strategic issues".
These are the main and basic features which Foreign Ministers Khurshid Kasuri and Ms Yoriko Kawaguchi agreed to during their discussions held here.
The other subject discussed by the two leaders included Japan's urging Pakistan to address itself to the disarmament and non-proliferation. An official Japanese spokesman told newsmen here that Kawaguchi during her talks with Indian government leaders on Friday will reiterate similar desire of her country.
During a briefing session on Wednesday evening, Japanese Foreign Ministry official spokesman, Hatsuhisa Takashima, said his country had offered to co-operate with Islamabad in "strengthening their non-proliferation regimes" and hold consultations to "reinforce dialogue on this matter".
The two Foreign Ministers, he said, reviewed the situation in South Asia and recorded satisfaction of Kawaguchi on improvement of relations between Pakistan and India and suggested for advancement of confidence building measures.
Earlier in the day the visiting Foreign Minister called on President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shujaat Hussain and Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz. Later she went to the Foreign Ministry for a conference with Kasuri and discussed "means to strengthen their bilateral relations, counter-terrorism, disarmament and non-proliferation and some other issues".
In a prepared statement at the briefing, the Japanese spokesman summarised what he described as the "main outcomes" of the meeting:
BILATERAL RELATIONS: Both sides confirmed their desire to further strengthen bilateral relations. Pakistan side expressed its appreciation for Japan's recent assistance to Pakistan, including the provision of fuel oil by vessels of Maritime Self-Defence Force of Japan to Pakistan naval ships participating in the war against terrorism in the Indian ocean and its support for Pakistan's membership in Asean Regional Forum and Islamabad's candidacy to host the net Asian Co-operation Dialogue.
-- Both sides also agreed to continue to hold High Level Economic Consultations and share the view to encourage and support the Joint Business Dialogue that is expected to be held at Karachi in February next year.
-- Minister Kawaguchi conveyed to Minister Kasuri that Japan held in high regard Pakistan's effort to make Pakistan a moderate and modern Islamic state and expressed Japan's continued willingness to support such Pakistani efforts.
-- Minister Kawaguchi also informed Minister Kasuri that Japan would start considering the resumption of yen loan assistance to Pakistan with a view to supporting economic and social development in Pakistan. In this context, Minister Kasuri requested Minister Kawaguchi to send a mission, to which Minister Kawaguchi responded positively.
NON PROLIFERATION: Both sides recognised the importance of addressing the problem of the proliferation of nuclear-related technologies and Pakistan side expressed willingness to co-operate with the international community in this matter.
-- The Japanese side called on Pakistan side to further efforts in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation, and informed Pakistan of its readiness to co-operate with Pakistanis in strengthening their non-proliferation regimes.
-- The Ministers also shared the view to hold consultations on disarmament and non-proliferation issues in order to reinforce dialogue on this matter.
INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS: Minister Kawaguchi welcomed the recent improvement of relations between Pakistan and India, and encouraged further improvement of relations and the advancement of confidence building measures.
REGIONAL ISSUES: Both sides exchanged views on issues including the fight against terrorism, and recent developments in Afghanistan.
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