Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� March, 2002

Prime Minister Meets with the President of Pakistan Thursday, March 14, 2002 Click photographs to enlarge Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi met with President Pervez Musharraf of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. During the meeting, the two leaders affirmed that they would strengthen the traditional ties of friendship between the two countries on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-Pakistan diplomatic relations. Prime Minister Koizumi stated, "I would like to express my heartfelt respect to President Musharraf's leadership in taking a firm stance in the fight against terrorism, amid a variety of difficult issues. For the coming 50 years, I would like to further develop relations between Japan and Pakistan." President Musharraf stated, "Pakistan respects Japan, a nation that has maintained its own culture and tradition while achieving modernization. I am determined to use this visit to further strengthen the warm and friendly relations between Japan and Pakistan."