Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono arrived on a two-day official visit here on Wednesday night to hold talks with Pakistani authorities. He was received by senior Foreign Office officials upon arrival at Nur Khan Airbase. During his stay in Pakistan, the visiting Japanese Foreign Minister will hold wide ranging talks with Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif on bilateral issues.

According to Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal, both sides will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interests. Foreign Minister Kono will also pay a courtesy call on the Prime Minister. "Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Japan," he said. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1952, Pakistan-Japan relations have steadily progressed in political, economic, trade and other fields.

High-level bilateral visits have been a major component of this relationship. Japan has also been a major development partner of Pakistan. It has played an important role in the socio-economic development of the country, the spokesperson added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2018