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~. ~(Provisional Translation)exploring the possibility of partnering with other countries in the area of securityas well. Specifically, as part of the efforts for capacity-building of Afghanistan, weare looking into the possibility of cooperating with Turkey and of offering financialresources and dispatching experts to assist in the training courses.n0(Reintegration)In'order to improve security and establish peace and stability, reconciliation andreintegration of insurgents needs to move forward, and a political solution mustbe pursued. In this context, we appreciate the Afghan Government'announcement of the "Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Program" andlaunching the Peace and Reintegration Trust Fund, following the Peace Jirgaheld last month.In the process of advancing and establishing peace and reintegration, it will becrucial to further stabilize society and create employment at the community levelin both urban and rural areas. Japan intends to play a more effective role onthese fronts. To this end, Japan will promptly undertake the necessaryprocedures to disburse the contribution of 50 million dollars to the Peace andReintegration Trust Fund that Japan announced at the London Conference inJanuary. Furthermore, Japan will consider an additional contribution dependingon the progress of the Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Program. It isimportant to utilize this program in collaboration with other developmentassistance schemes. Japan will work to ensure that its bilateral assistance insuch areas as vocational training is well coordinated with the Program.Japan calls for swift implementation of the Afghanistan Peace and ReintegrationProgram. We would like to work with the Government of Afghanistan in order toserve effective implementation of the Program.(Development)First of all, Japan would like to contribute to development of Afghanistan through"all Japan", bringing together knowledge of all assistance staff andnon-governmental organizations (NGOs). I would argue that human resourcedevelopment is of the utmost importance as it is a pressing matter common to alldevelopment challenges. Japan will support capacity-building in the area offinancial and project management in the Afghan Government agencies. Japanwill also assist Afghanistan in improving governance, including by fighting

-, -"r-. .(Provisional Translation)corruption, and in this context, is prepared to provide assistance by cooperatingwith Singapore. Japan will offer training for up to 500 officials in various fieldsincluding agriculture and engineering. Furthermore, Japan intends to continue toadvance its cooperation in the areas of education and health.('Infrastructure development is also critical, as it forms the basis for economicdevelopment and gives hope to Afghan citizens. Japan will assist innation-building endeavors by helping to build roads, water facilities, power grids,and airports. Our assistance includes the Kabul Metropolitan Area DevelopmentProgram, which aims to redevelop the existing city of Kabul and develop newurban areas in an integrated manner.Agricultural and rural development continues to be essential in driving industrialdevelopment in Afghanistan, and Japan intends to support the rebuilding anddevelopment of agriculture and rural villages. As part of our support, we willassist the construction and repair of irrigation facilities, which are the basis ofagriculture, as well as various efforts for the reinvigoration and networking oftraditional community bodies such as Mirab.n(Regional Cooperation)In all of the aspects of economic development, security and the political process,achieving stability and reconstruction in Afghanistan cannot be achieved withoutthe cooperation of those neighboring countries that have close linkages with thecountry. The stability of Afghanistan is a common interest that will bring stabilityand development to this region and beyond. As a number of frameworks forregional cooperation already exist, it is my hope that these frameworks will serveto ensure constructive cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighboringcountries.Thank you for your kind attention.(end)