The Fourth Meeting of The Japan-Arab Dialogue Forum
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Alexandria — Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Library of Alexandria, chaired the Egyptian delegation during the fourth meeting of the Japan–Arab Dialogue Forum. The Japan-Arab Dialogue Forum was established following Prime Minister Koizumi’s visit to Egypt and Saudi Arabia in May, 2003, where he stressed the importance of strengthening dialogue between Japan and the Arab world, as one of the pillars of Japan’s Middle East policy. The Forum convened the first meeting in Tokyo, Japan, in September 2003, the second in Alexandria, Egypt, in March 2004, the third in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in January 2005, and the fourth back in Tokyo, in May 2006.
In the fourth meeting held in Tokyo, the participants focused on analyzing recent developments in the Middle East, mainly Iraq, Palestine and Iran, recognizing that the overall situation has become increasingly unstable with considerable changes in different parts of the region. Based on the recognition that economic and social development is essential for the peace and stability in the Middle East, the past meetings suggested that investment be examined country-by-country to promote Japan’s investment within the Arab world. During the forum, there was a consensus on the importance of strengthening mutual cultural understanding, overcoming stereotyped views, and enhancing appreciation of the cultures of other countries.
The Egyptian side proposed that in addition to the meeting of this forum, it is appropriate to convene a meeting immediately before or after the next forum, in order to show the outside world a wide base of the exchanges between Japan and the Arab world by inviting various intellectuals from many Arab countries and to build the needed critical mass of intellectuals and media who are committed to improved and strengthened Japan-Arab relations.