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2010 Speeches (As delivered)

MESSAGE

by

Ambassador MAKOTO KATSURA

on the occasion of the Redeployment of the IMT

 

Estosan Garden Hotel, Cotabato City

on February 28, 2010

 


Our friends from the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Libya,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

It is a great pleasure and honor for me to deliver the following message to all of you on this special and important occasion:

 

Since Japan joined the IMT as the first Non-Muslim country in October 2006 by dispatching Mr. Masafumi Nagaishi, as a head of rehabilitation and social development, we have been recognizing the IMT as the most important mechanism to maintain peace and stability on the ground and as the embodiment of the international community's commitment to the Mindanao Peace Process.

 

After the mandate of the IMT was terminated in November 2008, our two IMT members, Mr. Tomonori Kikuchi and Mr. Yusuke Mori, who are here with you, started devoting most of their time to identifying and implementing Japanese development projects in the Conflict-affected areas, shuttling between Manila and Mindanao countless of times. Both of them have long been waiting for this day, the official resumption of IMT operations. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep respect and sincere appreciation to all those who have done their best to enable the IMT to come back here. I am very pleased to announce the decision of the Government of Japan to redeploy the said two development experts to the IMT.

 

Japan 's policy toward the Mindanao Peace Process consists of three pillars. The first is, of course, the dispatch of our IMT members. The second is the J-BIRD Projects that include the construction of schools, clinics, water supply systems and training centers, as well as the drafting of a comprehensive development plan in the Conflict-affected areas, which make it possible for the people in the grassroots to experience the dividends of peace.

 

The third pillar is our participation in the International Contact Group. As such, Japan has been actively engaged in the Peace Process since December last year. As a strategic partner and a close friend of the Philippines, we will spare no efforts in assisting you in your sincere efforts for peace and development in Mindanao.

 

Again, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you all for the redeployment of the IMT and look forward to working with all of my friends for peace in Mindanao.

 

Thank you very much.