Japan-Spain Summit Meeting

Monday, April 28, 2003

Click photographs to enlarge

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited Spain as the second country on his visit to European countries. Prime Minister Koizumi held talks with the President of the Government of Spain, Jose Maria Aznar at the President's Office in Madrid after paying a courtesy call on His Majesty King, Juan Carlos I, at La Zarzuela Palace on the outskirts of Madrid. The leaders exchanged opinions about assistance for the reconstruction of Iraq and issues of North Korea etc. Concerning assistance for the reconstruction of Iraq, the leaders shared the view of "the important role of the United Nations" and that "the full involvement of the United Nations is necessary", and agreed to make efforts toward the establishment of a system to pursue international coordination. Moreover concerning North Korea, Prime Minister Koizumi explained that issues of missiles and abductions are subjects of great concern for Japan as well as nuclear development program, and requested the European Union (EU) cooperation in the tripartite talks among North Korea, the United States of America and China in the purpose of achieving a peaceful diplomatic solution. Prime Minister Koizumi gained the understanding of President Aznar. At a joint press conference held after the summit, Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his stance, regarding the postwar reconstruction of Iraq, that Japan would make a positive contribution to peace in the Middle East, saying, "We would like to contribute to peace in the Middle East as much as possible through the nation-building of Iraq."

---