Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� June, 2003

Third Day of the G8 Summit Tuesday, June 3, 2003 The G8 Summit adopted the chair's summary in the morning (evening of June 3, Japan Time) and closed with a press conference hosted by the chair, President Jacques Chirac. The chair's summary generalizes down to the results of discussion on each of the four major themes; the global economy, sustainable development, counter-terrorism measures and regional issues. In regard to the global economy, the statement expressed the awareness that "our economies face many challenges," and confirmed that the developed countries would cooperate to achieve stable growth in the global economy. Furthermore, with respect to the issue of North Korea, the issue of abductions of Japanese nationals was specified for the first time in the statement, alongside the issue of the nuclear development program, emphasizing the stance to support the efforts made by various parties to seek a comprehensive solution to other unsolved issues including humanitarian matters such as North Korea's nuclear development program and abductions through peaceful means." Prime Minister Koizumi, who attended the press conference in the afternoon, expressed his view of the Summit's achievements, commenting that we were able to share the recognition that international cooperation served an important role in addressing the issues of Iraq and North Korea, the global economy and environmental problems. He also said, in discussions, "The Government of Japan has been striving to ensure both economic growth and environmental protection, in which science and technology play a key role. As all the countries hope for economic growth in Japan, Japan will vigorously work toward a further structural reform in order that Japanese economic development will contribute to the global economic growth." Prime Minister Koizumi also said, on the issue of North Korea, "We shall continue to pursue a diplomatic and peaceful resolution for the issues and believe all G8 leaders could have a common understanding regarding this." Prime Minister Koizumi left for Japan in the evening (dawn of June 4, Japan time).