(Kazinform) - Japanese Government pays much attention to politics and efforts of Kazakh authorities directed to further democratization of political system and development of free market economy as far as it considers Kazakhstan as one of the leading countries in Central Asia, Shikata Noriyuki, director of Information Department of Japanese MFA, said while giving an interview to Kazinform correspondent.
According to Japanese diplomat, within the framework of his official visit to Kazakhstan Prime Minister of Japan Junichiro Koizumi intends to discuss further development of friendly ties with Kazakhstan, commercial and trade interaction, energy collaboration, etc.
As for regional collaboration in the framework of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Shikata Noriyuki noted Japan devoted attention to Chinas efforts focused on strengthening and promotion of relations with Central Asian countries. In its turn Tokyo exert reasonable efforts directed to provision of peaceful development of Central Asia and advancement of multisided ties with countries of the region within the framework of Central Asia+Japan dialogue, reports Trend.
Mr. Noriyuki stressed Japan had no intention to provoke any competition between SCO and i>Central Asia+Japan dialogue, as far as the latter is open and transparent mechanism.
Official of Japanese MFA emphasized his country cooperated with Central Asian states in order to achieve political security providing for stable development of the region. He expressed an opinion that democratization of political system and development of market economy of these countries might help them accomplish this ambitious objective.