TOKYO, Feb 27 (Reuters) Japan plans to host a meeting with Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian officials next month to help broker peace in the West Asia, officials said today.
The meeting, which Foreign Minister Taro Aso said would be aimed to be held on March 14, would be a follow-up to plans proposed by former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi last year in which Japan said it would provide economic assistance and promote cooperation in the region.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he hoped Tokyo would be able to contribute to efforts to build trust and peace in the region.
''Japan hopes to continue to play its role and fulfil its responsibilities to achieve peace and stability in the West Asia,'' Abe told reporters today.
Japan has planned to help build an agro-industrial park on the West Bank in a joint project under the framework and has pledged to seek cooperation from private-sector companies.
Japan has long felt it has a special role to play as a mediator between Israel and the Palestinians since it lacks much of the political baggage of the United States, allowing for warmer ties with Arab nations.
Koizumi visited the West Asia last July and media reports have said his successor, Abe, could visit the region around late April or early May.
REUTERS BDP RAI1220
The meeting, which Foreign Minister Taro Aso said would be aimed to be held on March 14, would be a follow-up to plans proposed by former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi last year in which Japan said it would provide economic assistance and promote cooperation in the region.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he hoped Tokyo would be able to contribute to efforts to build trust and peace in the region.
''Japan hopes to continue to play its role and fulfil its responsibilities to achieve peace and stability in the West Asia,'' Abe told reporters today.
Japan has planned to help build an agro-industrial park on the West Bank in a joint project under the framework and has pledged to seek cooperation from private-sector companies.
Japan has long felt it has a special role to play as a mediator between Israel and the Palestinians since it lacks much of the political baggage of the United States, allowing for warmer ties with Arab nations.
Koizumi visited the West Asia last July and media reports have said his successor, Abe, could visit the region around late April or early May.
REUTERS BDP RAI1220
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