The Japan Arab Conference Discusses the Future of the Peace Process at the BA
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Alexandria—
As part of the Japan Arab Conference, a session was held on Wednesday, 21 November 2007, entitled "Prospects for the Middle East Peace Process". Participants in the session included Tatsuo Arima, Special Envoy of the Government of Japan for the Middle East, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan; Amb. Hagar El-Islambouly, Head of the BA External Relations Sector; Ossama El-Ghazaly Harb, Member of the Shura Council and Political Analyst; and Hassan Nafaa, Secretary General, Arab Thought Forum, Japan. The session was chaired by Abdel Salam El-Messady, former Minister of Education, Tunisia.
Participants discussed the Annapolis Conference, scheduled at the end of November 2007. The Japanese side viewed the Conference as the first real opportunity since 2000 to forge ahead with the peace process in the Middle East, since the conference will review several issues pertaining the establishment of a Palestinian state including Camp David Negotiations. They maintained that the international community in general and the Arab world in specific share the responsibility for assisting the Palestinian authority to restore the rule of law in Gaza strip. The Japanese side assured the commitment of Japan to exert its utmost to achieve peace in the Middle East.
The Egyptian side stressed the importance of respecting international legitimacy in the peace process, as stipulated in Oslo, Geneva, "Road Map", Camp David, and other peace conventions. Participants emphasized that all parties should adhere to UN Security Council resolutions.
On the Annapolis Conference, Arabs called upon the international community to support the peace process and stated that given the current suitable environment, all parties should make an effort to reach an agreement and adhere to Annapolis recommendations.