Saleh welcomes Japanese energy, desalination investments

SANA'A, July 1 (Saba) - President Ali Abdullah Saleh renewed Monday
welcoming the Japanese investments in Yemen, especially in fields of
energy and desalination.

The President praised, during his meeting with Japanese
Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Osamu Uno, the assistance Japan
offers to support Yemeni efforts in development, democracy and
fighting against terrorism.

He accentuated the role Japan can play to prompt the peace process
in the region and also its role during the meetings of the G8 summit
to be convened in the Japanese capital Tokyo.

The Japanese official voiced its thanks to the President and the
efforts the Yemeni coastguard forces have exerted to protect the
Japanese oil tanker Takayama while subjecting at piracy acts off
Somali coasts.

He lauded Yemeni efforts in combating terrorism, affirming support
for the country's development process and its efforts in fighting
against terror and underpinning the region's stability as well as
the care the government presents to the African refugees.

The meeting discussed mutual ties and the joint cooperation aspects
between the two countries in fields of development, energy and
desalination to cover the inhabitants' needs of the capital Sana'a
and Taiz governorate.

Furthermore, the meeting dealt with the regional issues of common
interests and last developments in Palestine, Iraq and African Horn.