RAMALLAH, May 5, 2007 (WAFA) - President Mahmoud Abbas received Saturday, in the Presidential HQ in Ramallah, Japanese Prime Minister's Consultant for security Affairs, Mrs. Yusiko Koiki.

President briefed Mrs. Koiki on the latest developments in the Palestinian Territory and exerted efforts to push the peace process forward in the region.

President stressed the significance of lifting embargo imposed on the Palestinian people and the necessity for releasing taxes revenue held by Israel as well as halting continued Israeli aggressions on the Palestinian people.

For her part, Mrs Koiki affirms her country continued support to the Palestinian people, President Mahmoud Abbas and the national unity government, adding that the Japanese Prime Minister is interested in pushing the peace process and in supporting developing projects, particularly the Palestinian-Jordanian al-Aghwar agricultural and industrial project.

She added that the project aims at building an agricultural industrial zone on the Palestinian side and the construction of air transport on the Jordanian side, in order to support the peace process and the Palestinian people.

M.H.(13:50 P)(10:50 GMT)