Prime Minister Meets with President of Romania Thursday, February 14, 2002 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi met with President Ion Iliescu of Romania at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. During the meeting, the two leaders came to a common understanding that the both countries would build a new partnership, as this year marks the one hundredth anniversary of exchanges between Japan and Romania. Romania is currently striving to join the European Union (EU) and is working to enhance its relations with Japan, which for its part, is making efforts to further enhance relations with the EU. Prime Minister Koizumi welcomed the efforts being made by Romania toward democratization and transition to a market economy, as these will lead to progress in overall Japan-EU cooperation. The Prime Minister also pointed out the importance of the international community acting in solidarity to cooperate for the eradication of terrorism and for reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan. In response, President Iliescu expressed gratitude for the various forms of assistance provided by Japan in the past, while at the same time expressing his intent to further develop Japan-Romania relations across a broad spectrum, such as the economic sector. The President also spoke about the contributions by Romania for the maintenance of public order in Afghanistan, beginning with the dispatch of personnel, and, referring to United Nations reform, stated that Romania strongly supported Japan becoming a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Following the meeting, a signing ceremony was held for the Joint Statement outlining the basic direction for future Japan-Romania relations.

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Link:Joint Statement on Friendship, Co-operation and
Partnership between Japan and Romania