RIYADH, 10 January 2005 — Saudi Arabia, Japan and Egypt yesterday reaffirmed their commitment to work jointly to restore peace and stability to the Middle East. The three countries also decided to set up a working group to evaluate the overall situation in the Arab world, particularly in Iraq and Palestine.

The working group will meet next month to make an assessment of the situation, it was announced at a press conference here jointly addressed by Minister of Planning and Economy Dr. Khaled Al-Gosaibi, former Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and Director of Library of Alexandria Dr. Ismail Serageldin. The three addressed the media after concluding the third round of Japan-Arab dialogue, which discussed the Middle East peace process and the situation in Iraq.

They said some progress has already been made on a proposal to set up a Japan-Arab technical university. However, it will take five to six years for the project to take off.

They also said more Arab countries would possibly take part in the future sessions of the Japan-Arab dialogue.

The three countries stressed the need for lifeline infrastructure projects for Iraq and other Arab countries, drawing upon Japan’s experience in reconstruction and technology. They said the meeting also discussed means to promote private sector collaboration between Japan and Arab countries to rebuild Iraq’s economy in particular and help Arab nations in general.

Asked about the outcome of the dialogue, Dr. Al-Gosaibi said “the working group to be set up by the three countries will hold a meeting next month to evaluate and decide the need to increase aid and assistance to the war-ravaged regions especially Iraq and Palestine”.

Dr. Al-Gosaibi expressed the hope that “the elections in Palestine and Iraq will lead to more stability and to a certain level of normality in the Arab world”. He said Arab nations are also seeking to set up a greater Arab trade zone.

“A program for training medical personnel in Iraq with the help of Egypt and Japan is already under way and we looked at the possibility of expanding the program,” he said, adding that some pilot projects for Iraq were also taken up for discussion.

“On the economic front, the three countries discussed the subject of free trade agreement between Japan and Arab countries,” said Hashimoto.

Tokyo has already been working on a project to train 10,000 people from Arab countries in different vocations and impart general education to 100,000 people during a specific period, he said. “The move is designed to address the Arab governments’ soaring concerns of unemployment,” he added.

Asked how effective the Japan-Arab dialogue will emerge in future Dr. Serageldin said “the dialogue itself is a wonderful initiative taken by the Japanese government. We have established common understanding with Japan on many issues confronting the Arab nations”.

The Japan-Arab dialogue was set up as an informal means to explore ideas and strengthen cooperation between Japan and the Arab world. Its first meeting was held in Tokyo on Sept. 4, 2003.