Wednesday, July 1, 2009
The Prime Minister Meets with the Secretary-General of the United Nations
Photograph of Prime Minister Aso shaking hands with Secretary-General Ban (1)
At the beginning, Prime Minister Aso welcomed the Secretary-General's visit to Japan. He said, "Secretary-General Ban and I have been communicating closely each other through telephone, and I wish to further advance our collaboration on various issues, including climate change, the North Korean issue, and United Nations Security Council reform."
At the meeting, the Prime Minister and the Secretary-General exchanged views on matters such as the North Korean issue, climate change, peacebuilding, and United Nations Security Council reform. They also confirmed their intention to continue working together for poverty reduction and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
In the joint press announcement that followed, Prime Minister Aso said, "Secretary-General Ban and I had a very useful exchange of views today on various issues facing the international community, including the North Korean issue, climate change, and peacebuilding. A nuclear test and ballistic missile launch by North Korea is a grave challenge to the international community and is entirely unacceptable. It is important that each country unfailingly enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874 in order to have North Korea stop nuclear and missile development. As such, I asked Secretary-General Ban for his cooperation. We also expect the United Nations' continued cooperation for the improvement of the human rights situation in North Korea, including the abduction issue. Secretary-General Ban and I also reaffirmed the importance of the early realization of United Nations Security Council reform, in order to respond effectively to the peace and stability of the world. I wish to further deepen Japan's cooperative relations with the United Nations through this visit to Japan by Secretary-General Ban."
At a dinner after the joint press conference, Prime Minister Aso and Secretary-General Ban exchanged views on a broad range of issues such as terrorism, piracy, and disarmament and non-proliferation.
Related Link
Photograph of Prime Minister Aso shaking hands with Secretary-General Ban (2)
Photograph of Prime Minister Aso holding talks with Secretary-General Ban
Photograph of Prime Minister Aso holding a joint press announcement (1)
Photograph of Prime Minister Aso holding a joint press announcement (2)
Related photos
Click photographs to enlarge
