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

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Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi left Haneda Airport in the afternoon of October 19 to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting and arrived in Bangkok, Thailand at night of the same day. Prior to the APEC Leaders' Meeting on October 20, Prime Minister Koizumi held separate talks with Mr. Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Hu Jintao, the President of the People's Republic of China, and Mr. Roh Moo Hyun, the President of the Republic of Korea. At the Japan-Russia Summit Meeting, the two leaders agreed on establishing a "Japan-Russia Eminent Persons Conference," where experts discuss wide-ranging issues between the two countries as a part of developing the environment for the conclusion of a peace treaty. With regard to the issues of North Korea, the leaders also saw agreement on holding of the next six-party talks at the earliest date possible. At the Japan-China Summit Meeting, the two leaders shared the common recognition that the process of the six-party talks is important. They also agreed on establishing the "Japan-China Committee for New Friendship in the 21st Century" composed by experts from both countries to further develop friendly relations between Japan and China. At the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting, the two leaders agreed to launch negotiations for the conclusion of Japan-ROK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of 2003 and substantially complete the negotiation by the end of 2005. The leaders also agreed to continue with their efforts for early conclusion of the Japan-ROK Agreement regarding Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters. At the APEC unofficial Summit Meeting held in the afternoon, discussions were taken place with the focus of economic issues including the promotion of trade and investment liberalization. The leaders agreed to work toward the promotion of trade liberalization negotiations of the World Trade Organization (WTO).