Top > What's up around the Prime Minister > November, 2004

Japan-Estonia Summit Meeting Monday, November 1, 2004 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a meeting with Mr. Arnold Ruutel, the President of the Republic of Estonia, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At the meeting, President Ruutel stated that Estonia has been advancing drastic reform in the area of socio-economy and explained that their goal to join the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) pursued since its independence has been achieved this year. In response, Prime Minister Koizumi noted his expectation for the accession of Estonia to the EU to be beneficial to the bilateral relations of Japan and Estonia. With regard to the reconstruction of Iraq, Prime Minister Koizumi explained his intention that Japan will continue to coordinate with the international community and provide humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to the people of Iraq as well as fight against terrorism, despite the incident of a Japanese civilian who was taken hostage and murdered,. To this, President Ruutel stated that the activity of the Estonian soldiers dispatched to Iraq must be continued until a democratic government is established and social stability is secured in Iraq. The two leaders shared the understanding on the importance to cooperate with one another in the fight against terrorism and for the international community to firmly respond to such matters.