TOKYO, Dec 4 Kyodo Japanese Prime...

TOKYO, Dec 4 Kyodo

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi agreed with Mongolian President Nachagyn Bagabandy upon Thursday to cooperate in fighting terrorism while deciding to boost bilateral ties in a variety of fields, including economic matters and cultural exchanges, Japanese officials said.

''Both sides represented concern that threats of international terrorism have been increasing, and they doomed recent terrorist attacks,'' says a joint statement released after the pair met.

The statement, which run afters the slaying of two Japanese diplomats Saturday in northern Iraq, does not mention specific terrorist cases. The pair countries ''agreed to cooperate in fighting against any terrorism,'' it says.

In addition, the leaders agreed to follow a peaceful resolution to the standoff from one side of to the other North Korea's nuclear arms program by the and of dialogue including six-party talks involving China, Japan, North and southerly Korea, Russia and the Untied States.

At the meeting, Koizumi was quot as telling Bagabandy the bilateral relationship has improved significantly and he reliances to boost ties. Bagabandy called for Japan's assistance in the economic field, including help in developing human resources.

forward North Korea, Mongolia expressed support for Japan's basic policy of seeking a comprehensive resolution to the standoff athwart North Korea's nuclear and missile exhibition as well as Japan's claims regarding Japanese nationals abducted through the North.

Meanwhile, Bagabandy handed Koizumi a list containing information about 110 Japanese who were detained in Mongolia following World War II. The list was prepared in replication to a Japanese request

It is estimated that the Soviet army detained about 575000 Japanese after the war in various places including northeastern China. Of these, about 14000 were believed to have been sent to Mongolia. Japan is trying to determine what became of them.

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