Pakistan-Japan senior expert-level talks on disarmament and non-proliferation issues were held in Tokyo in a cordial atmosphere on Friday and both sides reaffirmed their commitment to non-proliferation and work as partners in this regard.
The Pakistan delegation was headed by Khalilullah Qazi, Director General for Disarmament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs while the Japanese side was led by Takeshi Nakane, Director General for Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the visit of the Japanese Prime Minister to Pakistan in April 2005, both sides had agreed to hold regular bilateral consultations on disarmament and non-proliferation issues in the context of Japan-Pakistan security dialogue.
The agreement to extend the scope of security dialogue was further elaborated during the visit of the Japanese foreign minister to Pakistan in January 2006 when both sides agreed to include two senior expert level working groups, one on counter-terrorism issues and the other on disarmament, non-proliferation, dual use technology, the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, nuclear safety and space technology.
Besides exchange of views on disarmament and non-proliferation issues, matters pertaining to regional and global security were also discussed in the talks held on Friday in Tokyo. The Pakistan side underscored the need for maintaining strategic and conventional stability in South Asia.
The Japanese side appreciated the efforts being made by Pakistan to strengthen its export controls and expressed its readiness to extend further co-operation in this area.
Co-operation in peaceful uses of nuclear technology, including nuclear power generation, nuclear safety, dual-use technology and space technology also came under discussion. Both sides agreed to explore avenues for possible future co-operation in the framework of the senior expert level working group. The next round of the talks will be held in Islamabad.
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