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

Japan-Algeria Summit Meeting Monday, December 6, 2004 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a meeting with Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the President of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At this summit meeting upon the first official visit to Japan by the president of Algeria, the two leaders mainly discussed their bilateral relations. President Bouteflika announced his support for Japan's entry as a permanent membership of the United Nations (UN) Security Council by stating, "Japan is suitable to become a permanent member of the Security Council and the vast majority of the UN members also support Japan's position," to which Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his gratitude. The two leaders agreed to cooperate on the issue of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, counterterrorism measures and global environment issues, among others. Prime Minister Koizumi also expressed his gratitude for Algeria's provision of tents as relief supplies on the occasion of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and further noted on the need for economic cooperation between Japan and Algeria by saying, "I intend to engage in cooperation that is mutually beneficial to our countries in such areas as energy resources and disaster prevention measures." In response to this, President Bouteflika shared his expectation for Japan's direct investment to Algeria.