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

Japan-ASEAN Summit Wednesday, October 8, 2003 Click photographs to enlarge Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held talks with Mr. Roh Moo-hyun, the President of the Republic of Korea in the morning of October 8, 2003. At the meeting, the leaders agreed for Japan and the Republic of Korea to closely cooperate for a peaceful solution on such issues as the nuclear development by North Korea as well as to work toward an early resumption of the six-party talks. President Roh expressed his understanding for the stance of Japan in seeking a comprehensive solution for issues including the abduction issue. The Japan-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit was held following the Japan-Republic of Korea Summit. At the meeting, the leaders of Japan and each ASEAN country agreed to and signed the "Framework for Comprehensive Economic Partnership between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations" which contains the early realization of a comprehensive economic partnership including Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by 2012. Prime Minister Koizumi held a press conference in the afternoon and noted on the accomplishments from the series of meetings as "We were able to issue a Joint Declaration among the leaders of Japan, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea for the first time, explicitly indicating the direction for contribution to the peace and stability of East Asia. Regarding the issues of North Korea, I have explained that Japan seeks a peaceful solution on the abduction, nuclear and missiles issues comprehensively so as to realize a normalization of relations between Japan and North Korea in the future. I believe that I have gained the understandings of all the leaders at the meeting." Prime Minister Koizumi left for Japan that night.

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Link:	FRAMEWORK FOR COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN JAPAN AND THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH EAST ASIAN NATION
	PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN AT THE ASEAN+3 SUMMIT