Japan, Kazakhstan Leaders Agree to Cooperate for Early CTBT Effectuation

Washington, April 1 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev agreed Friday to strengthen cooperation for an early effectuation of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, or CTBT. In a joint statement issued after a meeting on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, the two leaders called for countries that have yet to ratify the CTBT, including the United States, China and Israel, to approve it as soon as possible. The statement said realizing a world without nuclear weapons is a major goal for mankind in the 21st century. It also condemned North Korea's nuclear development program, noting that it clearly violates Pyongyang's international obligations. Currently, Japan and Kazakhstan jointly chair a conference on facilitating the entry into force of the CTBT. In a separate meeting, Abe told Jordanian King Abdullah II that Japan has decided to provide some 17 million dollars in grant-in-aid to allow the Middle Eastern country to buy garbage disposal and water supply equipment, as part of support for refugees fleeing Syria. The Jordanian king expressed gratitude for the offer. In their meeting, Abe said Japan backs Jordan's efforts to stabilize the Middle East. Separately, Abe and Argentine President Mauricio Macri held talks and agreed to set up a framework to discuss ways to enhance bilateral trade and investment. Abe threw his support behind Macri's economic liberalization policy. END