The 10th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting (Day One)

Saturday, October 26, 2002

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Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who is visiting Los Cabos in the United Mexican States in order to attend the 10th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, held meetings in the morning of October 26（dawn on October 27, Japan time）with Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov of the Russian Federation, President George W. Bush of the United States (U.S.) and President Kim Dae Jung of the Republic of Korea (ROK) in advance of the Leaders Meetings. In his meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, the two leaders agreed that the two nations would take a coordinated approach toward encouraging a cessation to development plans regarding nuclear problem by North Korea. Furthermore, speaking about the occupation of a theater in Moscow, Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his condolences for the victims and their bereaved families. Both leaders confirmed that they would strengthen their solidarity toward the eradication of international terrorism. Following this, during the Japan-U.S.-ROK trilateral summit meeting the issue of nuclear development in North Korea was brought up and all the leaders agreed to call on North Korea to abolish it's uranium enrichment program and to aim for a peaceful resolution to this issue. A joint statement was issued calling on North Korea to abolish its nuclear development program in a prompt and verifiable manner and to abide by all of its international obligations in accordance with the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration. Against the backdrop of the ongoing series of terrorist incidents, the agenda of the first day of the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting focused on security issues, including measures to prevent terrorism, nuclear development issues in North Korea and the situation in Iraq. The leaders adopted the APEC Leaders' Statement on Fighting Terrorism and Promoting Growth, which includes concrete measures to counter terrorism, including measures to ensure the safety of ships, airplanes and freight and thereby secure the safe expansion of regional trade, the cutting off of capital to terrorists and comprehensive legislation to ensure the safety of information exchanged on the Internet. At the same time the leaders condemned each of the recent series of terrorist actions that have occurred, including the bombing on Bali in Indonesia and the occupation of a theater in Moscow and adopted the APEC Leaders' Statement on Recent Acts of Terrorism in APEC Member Economies, in which they declared themselves to be committed to eradicating terrorism and confirmed the solidarity of all nations in that effort. During the meeting, in terms of the issue of nuclear development in North Korea, Prime Minister Koizumi stated, "This is a grave concern that extends beyond Japan-North Korea relations. I intend to continue to pursue international cooperation in order to eliminate all security concerns while proceeding with the normalization talks." , calling upon all nations and regions to cooperate toward resolving the issue of nuclear development by North Korea. After the Leaders Meeting, Prime Minister Koizumi held a meeting with President Ricardo Lagos of the Republic of Chile. In the meeting, the leaders exchanged views on economic issues and confirmed that both nations would continue to cooperate for economic activation of the Asia-Pacific region. Following this, Prime Minister Koizumi met with President Megawati Sukarnoputri of the Republic of Indonesia and expressed his condolences for the victims and their bereaved families as a result of the terrorist bombing in Bali. The leaders exchanged views on measures to counter terrorism and confirmed their intention to cooperate with other nations in advancing measures against terrorism. Furthermore, Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his intent to provide financial assistance for economic reform and human resource cultivation in Indonesia.