Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (C-L) and his Pakistani counterpart Shaukat Aziz (C-R) witness an agreement signing ceremony in Islamabad. (AFP)

    ISLAMABAD, April 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Pakistan and Japan Saturday vowed to work for renewed, enhanced and robust bilateral relations, according to a joint declaration issued here after visiting Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held talks with the Pakistani leaders.

    The Japanese government announced the resumption of yen loan to Islamabad which was suspended in 1998 when Pakistan conducted nuclear tests and said it would continue to provide support for future projects for the enhancement of the welfare of the Pakistani people, said the declaration.

    Japan welcomed the composite dialogue process between Pakistan and India including confidence building measures aiming at peacefully resolving their differences and hoped for its success.

    Both countries recognized that the stability and development of Afghanistan was vital for regional stability and would continue this support for that country, said the document.

    Both countries, it added, had common interest in the future of Asia with special focus on counter-terrorism, non-proliferation, economic cooperation, rule of law and market economy.

    Pakistan and Japan also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen international disarmament and non-proliferation framework. The two sides shared the serious concern regarding international black market networks for the proliferation of technologies and equipment related to weapons of mass destruction and underscored the need for all countries to identify and dismantle such networks through cooperative efforts, said the declaration.

    They also underlined the need for comprehensive reform of the United Nations to enable it to effectively respond to the challenges of this century and both sides spelt out their position respectively.

    Pakistan was of the view that reform of the UN Security Council could be achieved through an appropriate expansion in the non-permanent category, the declaration stressed.

    Koizumi arrived in Islamabad from New Delhi on Saturday morning on a two-day formal visit. He held formal talks with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and exchanged views on bilateral ties, nuclear proliferation, terrorism and the UN reforms.

    Koizumi visited India and kicked off his four-nation tour Friday. He will also visit Luxembourg and Netherlands. Enditem