Visit to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan by Mr. Takao Makino,
Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs
January 18, 2014
H.E. President Karzai (Right) and Mr. Makino, Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs (Left)
On January 18 (Sat), Mr. Takao Makino, Parliamentary Vice Minister for
Foreign Affairs, visited Afghanistan and paid a courtesy call on H.E.Mr. Hamid
Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
1. Parliamentary Vice Minister Makino said the following:
- This year is a crucial year for the stability and development of Afghanistan.
Japan requests Afghanistan to continually exert every effort to hold the
presidential election as scheduled in a fair and transparent manner.
- Japan will continue to cooperate with Afghanistan towards its sustainable
economic development. In this connection, Japan requests to ensure the
security of Japanese aid workers is necessary.
- Japan believes that the signing of the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA)
between Afghanistan and the United States is very important for the stability
of Afghanistan after 2015 and that it is necessary for the Afghanistan to
conclude BSA as soon as possible, in view of the recommendation made by
Consultative Loya Jirga which requested the early signing of BSA.
2. In response, President Karzai said that Japan is a very generous and
reliable friend. He expressed deep appreciation again for the assistance
from Japan, saying that it has really contributed to people of Afghanistan.
He also promised to continue making efforts so that the election will be held
appropriately and that the security of Japanese aid workers will be assured.
With respect to the signing of the BSA, President Karzai said that he will act
in a manner which contributes to peace and stability of Afghanistan.
3. Parliamentary Vice Minister Makino and President Karzai strongly
condemned the terrorist attack which took place in Kabul on 17 January,
which caused a number of deaths and injuries including the United Natns
staff. They reiterated that no act of terrorism could be justified.
