Monday, January 12, 2009

JAPANESE

2nd Day of the Prime Minister's Visit to the Republic of Korea

Photograph of the joint Japan-ROK leaders' press conference (1)

Photograph of the joint Japan-ROK leaders' press conference (1)

Prime Minister Taro Aso, who is on his visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK), held talks with Mr. Lee Myung-bak, President of the ROK, at Cheong Wa Dae, Office of the President, in Seoul.

At the meeting, the leaders exchanged views regarding means of further strengthening their bilateral relationship towards a mature partnership, confirmed that they are firmly establishing their "summit shuttle diplomacy" through the visit by Prime Minister Aso to the ROK, and agreed that President Lee would visit Japan at an appropriate time this year. President Lee and Prime Minister Aso also agreed to launch at an early date "Joint Research Project on a New Era of Japan-ROK Relations," for experts from the two countries to conduct research in a wide range of areas in the form of cooperation in the international community. They confirmed that Japan and the ROK will continue to cooperate in providing assistance to Afghanistan, and will act in close cooperation towards the 2nd Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy. On North Korean issues, the leaders confirmed their countries' basic stance to have North Korea abandon its nuclear programs through the Six-Party Talks and agreed to continue to work in close cooperation with the incoming administration of the United States. The Prime Minister and the President agreed to further enhance Japan-ROK cooperation in various areas, including by strengthening efforts for youth exchanges, moving forward with examining the resumption of accelerate consideration of Japan-ROK EPA negotiations, and starting negotiations for a nuclear agreement between the two countries.

The leaders held a joint press conference after the meeting. President Lee said, "I am of the opinion that our meeting today will provide direction for the development of new ROK-Japan bilateral relations. I should like to state my strong belief that the friendship and trust between us as national leaders will lead to enhanced exchanges and understanding between the people of our countries, thereby developing even further our countries' bilateral relationship towards a mature partnership." Prime Minister Aso said, "Along with this cooperation within the international community, it is important to deepen the Japan-ROK bilateral relationship still further. In cooperation with President Lee, I intend to make 2009 a year of a big leap forward in Japan-ROK relations."

Related Link

Photograph of the leaders heading for the meeting venue

Photograph of the leaders heading for the meeting venue

Photograph of the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting

Photograph of the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting

Photograph of the joint Japan-ROK leaders' press conference (2)

Photograph of the joint Japan-ROK leaders' press conference (2)

Photograph of the joint Japan-ROK leaders' press conference (3)

Photograph of the joint Japan-ROK leaders' press conference (3)

Related photos

Click photographs to enlarge

  • Photograph of the joint Japan-ROK leaders' press conference (1)
  • Photograph of the leaders heading for the meeting venue
  • Photograph of the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting
  • Photograph of the joint Japan-ROK leaders' press conference (2)
  • Photograph of the joint Japan-ROK leaders' press conference (3)