Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi left here for Luxembourg on Sunday morning after completing two-day visit to Pakistan. He was seen off at the airport by Federal Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Mohammad Ajmad Khan, Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Nobuaka Tanaka and senior officials of the Foreign Office. The Japanese premier was presented an album by Akram Shaheedi, Principal Information Officer of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The album contains glimpses of the engagements of the Japanese Prime Minister in the federal capital.
Koizumi held talks with President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
The Japanese premier also announced the resumption of yen loan programme for Pakistan, which was discontinued in 1998.
The leaders of the two countries also declared to enter into a new era towards a renewed, enhanced and robust relations.
Three agreements that include $80 million worth of grant assistance for a water supply and irrigation projects and the accord on technical co-operation were also signed during the visit.
The two countries also signed a Joint Declaration to further expand their strong collaboration at all levels.
"With the visit of the Prime Minister Koizumi to Pakistan, relations between the two countries have entered into a new phase where they are further expanding their strong collaboration at all levels," said the joint declaration.
BANQUET: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz hosted a banquet in the honour of the distinguished guest at the Prime Minister House.
Speaking at the banquet, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that the visit by the Japanese Premier would be the harbinger of a new era in relations between the two countries.
He appreciated Koizumi's bold and innovative style of leadership and the skill with which he steered Japan's affairs at a difficult juncture in world history.
"The economic up-turn in Japan after a long period of relative stagnation has vindicated your structural reform drive," he added.
Prime Minister said in Pakistan too, the government has made concerted efforts to follow the road of peace and progress.
Shaukat Aziz said: "Today, I can say with confidence that Pakistan's economic fundamentals are sound and we are set on the course of sustained economic growth."
He said as part of overall strategy, the government has created an ambience that is investor-friendly.
"Our moderate policy orientation, as well as strategic location turned Pakistan into an attractive destination for trade and investment," he added.
He expressed the confidence that the resumption of Japan's loans for Pakistan will accelerate bilateral economic co-operation and will have a salutary effect on the Japanese private sector's interest in Pakistan.
The Japanese premier in his brief remarks said his main purpose of the visit was to exchange views on the whole area of bilateral relations and " I believe I have indeed achieved this objective."
Koizumi said he was extremely encouraged to hear from the Japanese working in Pakistan that they are happy to work in a country, which has warmed feelings about Japan.