Foreign Minister Gemba to tour South Asia, Middle East, Africa

by sagarmedia

Japan’s Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba is on a 10-day tour of South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Gemba likely to discuss Iran’s nuclear program in Israel and the Middle East peace process with Palestinian officials.
Gemba departed Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Saturday morning for Nepal. He will also visit India, Israel, the Palestinian-controlled area, Jordan, Egypt, and Morocco.
In India, Gemba and his Indian counterpart are expected to agree on a new framework to discuss cooperation in maritime affairs, designed to counter China’s expanding maritime activities.
In talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Gemba is expected to urge a peaceful resolution to Iran’s nuclear standoff. Israel has threatened a military strike on Iran’s facilities.
On Visiting Egypt, where the first presidential election since the collapse of the Hosni Mubarak government is scheduled for May, Gemba will express Japan’s willingness to support the country’s democratization.Visiting Morocco, Gemba will attend ministerial talks of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, or TICAD. He is to announce Japan’s support for African countries in building infrastructure and fighting pirates.Media agencies NHK