Japan and Britain agreed Friday to cooperate on the reconstruction of war-torn Iraq and on advancing its political process by seeking a greater role for the United Nations.
In a meeting with Vice Foreign Minister Yukio Takeuchi, Michael Jay, British undersecretary of foreign affairs, said U.N. engagement in the process of transferring sovereignty to Iraqis on July 1, as well as its involvement after the transfer, is essential to advance the political process in Iraq, according to Japanese officials.
Takeuchi agreed with this view, they added.
The occupying coalition has agreed with Iraq's governing council to hand over sovereignty to a transitional Iraqi leadership July 1.
While explaining Japan's deployment of troops to the southern Iraqi city of Samawah, Takeuchi called for Britain's cooperation in ensuring security for the troops.