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Top What's up around the Prime Minister April, 2003
What's up around the Prime Minister

Japan-France Summit Meeting

Tuesday, April 29, 2003


The photograph of Prime Minister Koizumi who receives a hearty welcome from President Chirac The photograph of Prime Minister Koizumi who has talks with President Chirac The photograph of Prime Minister Koizumi who has talks with UNECO Director-General Matsuura

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Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited France as the third country on his visit to European countries.

In the evening of April 29 (dawn of April 30 Japan Time), Prime Minister Koizumi held talks with the President of the French Republic,Jacques Chirac at the Elysee Palace in the city of Paris for about two hours.

At the summit, both leaders shared the views in regard to the issues of the reconstruction of Iraq that the establishment of a system for international coordination and the role of the United Nations were very important.

Prime Minister Koizumi also clarified the stance of Japan on the issues of North Korea, explaining that Japan would seek a comprehensive solution including the issue of the abduction of Japanese nationals in cooperation with both the United States of America and the Republic of Korea. President Chirac expressed his understanding and support for this position.

Prior to the Japan-France Summit, Prime Minister Koizumi met with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Koichiro Matsuura. At the meeting, Director-General Matsuura explained the policy to dispatch a team of investigators to Baghdad in the offing future as a step to safeguard the cultural heritage plundered in Iraq and expressed his gratitude for the financial assistance provided by the Government of Japan in this regard.