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Japan-Luxembourg Summit Meeting Thursday, February 7, 2008 JAPANESE

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda held talks with Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker, the Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At the start of the meeting, Prime Minister Fukuda said, "I welcome Prime Minister Juncker's first visit to Japan in 11 years. Japan and Luxembourg have traditionally enjoyed good relations, and I hope that the relationship will become even closer as a result of the Prime Minister's visit to Japan." At the meeting, Prime Minister Fukuda expressed his appreciation for Luxembourg's support for Japan's bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. In response, Prime Minister Juncker expressed his intention to continue strengthening cooperation with Japan in the arena of the United Nations. Furthermore, Prime Minister Fukuda stated the importance of the European Union (EU) as Japan's partner and that Japan intended to cooperate with the EU on a variety of issues that the international community faces. Prime Minister Juncker responded that it was important to cherish old friendships based on a shared belief in democracy and human rights. Related link: Japan-Luxembourg Relations (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan)