Japan Pledges 78 M. Dlrs in Aid to Palestine

Tokyo, Feb. 15 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at a meeting with visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday, pledged 78.2 million dollars in economic aid to the region, including for reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and support for refugees. Abe also vowed that Japan will cooperate for peace in the Middle East, including through its participation in multilateral conferences on the issue, according to Japanese officials. The two leaders reaffirmed their position that they will continue seeking peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine and agreed to urge Israel to halt its settlement activities in the region. Abe expressed Japan's readiness to play an active role under an international peace initiative proposed last month by then French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. The prime minister also conveyed to Abbas a plan to send Masaharu Kono, Japan's special envoy for Middle East peace, to arrange aid measures for Palestine. At a joint press conference following the meeting, Abe stressed that Japan, as the host of this year's Group of Seven summit, is "resolved to play an even bigger role for peace in the Middle East." Abbas said he has strong hopes for Japan's greater contribution. END