Tuesday, July 7, 2009

JAPANESE

The Day Prior to the G8 L'Aquila Summit

Photograph of Prime Minister Aso having an audience with Pope Benedict XVI (1)

Photograph of Prime Minister Aso having an audience with Pope Benedict XVI (1)

On July 7 (local time), Prime Minister Taro Aso arrived in Rome, the Italian Republic, to attend the 35th Leaders' Summit, which is to be held in L'Aquila, Italy. The 1st Leaders' Summit was held in 1975 in Rambouillet, France. In this, the 35th Leaders' Summit, discussions are to take place with a focus on the global economy, the environment and climate change, development and Africa, and political issues, continuing on from the previous year's G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit.

After arriving in Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Prime Minister Aso had an audience with Pope Benedict XVI in the afternoon. It was the first visit to the Vatican by a Japanese Prime Minister in ten years, and also the first occasion for a Japanese Prime Minister to have an audience with Pope Benedict XVI, who assumed the post in May 2005. During the audience, Prime Minister Aso said, "I would like to cooperate for the stability of the international situation and the resolution of humanity's common issues."

After the audience, Prime Minister Aso held talks with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, S.B.D., Secretary of State, and discussed with him matters such as African issues.

In the evening, Prime Minister Aso attended a Japan-Italy exchange event, Japanitaly, which was held in Tiberina Island in the middle of Tiber River in Rome.

Afterwards, Prime Minister Aso held talks with Mr. Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of Italy, at the Palazzo Chigi. During the meeting, the leaders confirmed their intention to cooperate with each other for the success of the G8 L'Aquila Summit, and exchanged views on matters such as North Korean and Iranian issues. In the joint press announcement held prior to the Japan-Italy summit meeting, Prime Minister Aso announced Japan's decision to provide assistance for the reconstruction of L'Aquila, which suffered an earthquake in April.

Related Link

Photograph of Prime Minister Aso having an audience with Pope Benedict XVI (2)

Photograph of Prime Minister Aso having an audience with Pope Benedict XVI (2)

Photograph of Prime Minister Aso having an audience with Pope Benedict XVI (3)

Photograph of Prime Minister Aso having an audience with Pope Benedict XVI (3)

Photograph of Prime Minister Aso shaking hands with Prime Minister Berlusconi

Photograph of Prime Minister Aso shaking hands with Prime Minister Berlusconi

Photograph of Prime Minister Aso holding a joint press announcement with Prime Minister Berlusconi (1)

Photograph of Prime Minister Aso holding a joint press announcement with Prime Minister Berlusconi (1)

Photograph of Prime Minister Aso showing a model for the site of reconstruction in earthquake-stricken L'Aquila during a joint press announcement

Photograph of Prime Minister Aso showing a model for the site of reconstruction in earthquake-stricken L'Aquila during a joint press announcement

Photograph of Prime Minister Aso holding a joint press announcement with Prime Minister Berlusconi (2)

Photograph of Prime Minister Aso holding a joint press announcement with Prime Minister Berlusconi (2)

Related photos

Click photographs to enlarge

  • Photograph of Prime Minister Aso having an audience with Pope Benedict XVI (1)
  • Photograph of Prime Minister Aso having an audience with Pope Benedict XVI (2)
  • Photograph of Prime Minister Aso having an audience with Pope Benedict XVI (3)
  • Photograph of Prime Minister Aso shaking hands with Prime Minister Berlusconi
  • Photograph of Prime Minister Aso holding a joint press announcement with Prime Minister Berlusconi (1)
  • Photograph of Prime Minister Aso showing a model for the site of reconstruction in earthquake-stricken L'Aquila during a joint press announcement
  • Photograph of Prime Minister Aso holding a joint press announcement with Prime Minister Berlusconi (2)