TOP > What's up around the Prime Minister > March, 2007

Japan-Singapore Summit Meeting Monday, March 19, 2007 JAPANESE Click photographs to enlarge Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a meeting with Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of the Republic of Singapore, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At the beginning, Prime Minister Abe said, "We would like to build relations of trusting partnership with Singapore, as two countries sharing the fundamental values of freedom, democracy, basic human rights, and rule of law." Also, referring to Prime Minister Lee's private visit to Hokkaido with his family, Prime Minister Abe said, "Your visit has been a great advertisement for Hokkaido." During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the agreement of the Protocol Amending the Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), its expected impact on the expansion of bilateral economic ties, and future visions of the Asia-Pacific region. The two leaders also confirmed their further cooperation in addressing the nuclear and abduction issues of North Korea. Following the meeting, the two leaders held a signing ceremony and joint press announcement for the Protocol Amending the Japan-Singapore EPA, after which they were joined by the first ladies to attend a dinner at the Prime Minister's Residential Quarters.