Japan, Italy agree to coordinate G-8 efforts on Gaza

TOKYO, Jan. 7 Kyodo -
Japan and Italy agreed in foreign ministerial telephone talks Wednesday to
cooperate in calling for a truce in Gaza and coordinate humanitarian assistance
efforts among Group of Eight nations, Japanese Foreign Ministry officials said.
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini initiated the 25-minute phone call to
his Japanese counterpart Hirofumi Nakasone, during which they also agreed to
continue close cooperation on other issues such as the world economy and
climate change. Italy succeeded Japan in holding the annual G-8 presidency this
year.
Nakasone and Frattini shared grave concerns on the deteriorating situation and
affirmed the importance of urging both the Israelis and Palestinians to
implement an immediate and sustainable cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, the
officials said.
Both ministers expressed support for efforts in the U.N. Security Council to
broker a solution and reaffirmed their pledges to provide humanitarian
assistance to Palestinians.
The G-8 consists of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and
the United States.
==Kyodo