Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� April, 2004

Members of the Japan-Russia Eminent Persons' Council Pay Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Wednesday, April 21, 2004 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi received a courtesy call from the members of the Japan-Russia Eminent Persons' Council at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. The Japan-Russia Eminent Persons' Council was first talked about between Prime Minister Koizumi and Mr. Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation at the Japan-Russia Summit held in Bangkok, Thailand in October 2003 where its establishment was agreed upon for the purpose of having experts exchange views on a broad range of bilateral issues as part of the efforts to improve the environment for the conclusion of a peace treaty. The first meeting of this Council took place on April 14, 2004 in Moscow. The members of the Council that visited the Prime Minister's Official Residence included Mr. Yury Luzhkov, the Mayor of Moscow, who served as Chair for the Russian side. Mayor Luzhkov expressed his wish for "achievements beneficial to both our governments through close dialogue," and Prime Minister Koizumi said, "The Japan-Russia Eminent Persons' Council is essential in improving the environment for the conclusion of a peace treaty. I wish that the eminent persons would provide us with great wisdom."