By NNN-KUNA,
Tokyo : Ministers from Japan, Palestine, Jordan and Israel have agreed to begin construction of basic infrastructure early 2009 involving the Japan-led economic development project in the West Bank.
At a four-way ministerial-level talks in Tokyo Wednesday, Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura, Palestinian Minister of Planning Samir Abdullah, Jordanian Foreign Minister Salah Bashir and Israeli Environment Minister Gideon Ezra also agreed to hold a working-level meeting in the autumn to discuss details on the initiative.
According to a joint statement, the four sides emphasized the importance of the initiative, dubbed the “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity,” to bring tangible improvement in the region, and agreed to build the agro-industrial park in the southern part of Jericho under the project, with possible expansion in the future.
The four parties will continue discussions on possible access routes with full consideration to economic efficiencies as well as security concerns, the statement said.
In order to achieve peace in the Middle East through economic development, Tokyo plans to create an agro-industrial park with modern distribution facilities in the region. It is the first major Middle East initiative proposed by the Japanese government, which would provide jobs for some 6,000 Palestinians.
The projects also include a railway that links Israel and Jordan, construction of a facility to pump seawater from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea to prevent it from drying up and tourism projects along the way.
As a major aid donor to the Palestinians, Japan has been eager to play a role as a mediator in the Middle East peace process and to bring development and stability to the region. It hosted the first round of four-way Middle East peace talks in March 2007.
Tokyo wanted the meeting before hosting the July 7-9 Group of Eight (G-8) summit, in which the Middle East is expected to be among the topics. The G-8 comprises Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the US.
Earlier in the day, Komura held separate talks with the three ministers. At his meeting with Abdullah, Komura welcomed the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and expressed hope that the Palestinian side will also exercise self-restraint in order not to derail the peace process, according to the Foreign Ministry.
In talks with Ezra, Komura urged Israel to halt its expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, stressing the importance of fulfilling the Road Map peace plan.
In reply, Erza said that his country will continue to abide by the Road Map and continue to pursue negotiations with the Palestinian side. “Israel praises Japan’s support to improve the lives of Palestinians and wants to cooperate as much as possible,” he added.