Cyprus-Japan Friendship Group holds meetings in Japan

A six-member delegation of the Cyprus – Japan Friendship parliamentary Group, visiting Tokyo, discussed with Japanese officials the Cyprus question, bilateral ties and parliamentary relations, as well as economic and cultural developments in both countries.
The delegation was received Wednesday by the Vice-Speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives Takahiro Yokomichi, who expressed the will to enhance bilateral and other ties through the Friendship Groups.
Yokomichi as well as other Japanese officials expressed great appreciation for Cyprus’ contribution to the safe evacuation of Japanese citizens from Lebanon during last year’s crisis.
Chairman of the Friendship Group and President of the Parliamentary Committee of Foreign Affairs Averof Neofytou said he was pleased with this first such visit to Japan.
The two sides discussed developments in Cyprus and Neofytou stressed the need for the Turkish side to cooperate for the implementation as soon as possible of an agreement, reached through UN mediation, to help resume substantive negotiations.
He outlined the measures which the Cyprus government is implementing towards the Turkish Cypriots.
The Chairman of the Japan – Cyprus Friendship parliamentary Group Tsutomu Kawara, who hosted a lunch in honour of the Cyprus delegation, discussed with them the Cyprus question, bilateral and mainly parliamentary relations, in addition to economic and cultural developments.
The delegation was received by the President of the House of Councilors in Japan Satsuki Eda. Neofytou briefed the Japanese officials on the latest developments in Cyprus and asked for the help of the international community, including Japan, to settle the issue the soonest possible, on the basis of international law.
Eda expressed his sympathy for the difficult, as he described it, problem which Cyprus faces, underlining that Cyprus has been a victim of attack and has never attacked any country. He said the only way for a Cyprus settlement is peaceful dialogue.
The Cyprus parliamentary delegation also met with the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence af the House of Councilors Toshimi Kitazawa.