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Prime Minister Attends the East Asia Summit (EAS) and Other Meetings (First Day)
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 [Pool photo] |
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Click photographs to enlarge
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On November 19, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda arrived in the Republic of Singapore to attend the East Asia Summit (EAS) and other meetings.
The following day, Prime Minister Fukuda held a tripartite meeting with Mr. Wen Jiabao, the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, and Mr. Roh Moo Hyun, the President of the Republic of Korea (ROK). It was the eighth tripartite meeting since the first one took place in 1999. In a friendly atmosphere, the leaders held a frank discussion on various topics such as strengthening Japan-China-ROK cooperation and reform of the United Nations, as well as on issues related to North Korea. They also agreed that it was important for cooperation in East Asia to be advanced, through the various frameworks for cooperation in the region, in a mutually complementary manner. Prime Minister Fukuda then held a bilateral meeting with Premier Wen. During the meeting that lasted over one and a half hours including the lunch session, Prime Minister Fukuda stated that Japan and China face the issue of how to advance a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests. In response, Premier Wen expressed his view that the development of Japan-China relations was at a historic stage, and at an important turning point, saying that he wished to make concerted efforts with Japan to constantly move forward the bilateral relations. The two leaders also took the same view on high-level exchanges and the realization of Prime Minister Fukuda's visit to China at an early date. The ASEAN+3 Summit Meeting was held in the afternoon with the participation of the leaders of the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Japan, China and the ROK. The leaders adopted a joint statement that set the direction for the countries to follow in advancing regional cooperation. Following this meeting, Prime Minister Fukuda held a bilateral meeting with President Roh. During the meeting, the leaders both acknowledged that it was important to further advance a future-oriented relationship between Japan and the ROK, which maintained the closest relations both geographically and historically. In the evening, Prime Minister Fukuda held meetings with Mr. Hun Sen, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Mr. Bouasone Bouphavanh, the Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung, the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. At the meetings, Prime Minister Fukuda conveyed to the prime ministers Japan's intention to enhance the Official Development Assistance (ODA) to their respective countries over the course of three years, starting this fiscal year. In response, each of the three leaders expressed their appreciation of Japan's assistance to date. They also stated their support for Japan's bid for permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council. Related links:
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