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Japan-Germany Summit Meeting
Joint Press Conference Following the Japan- Germany Summit Meeting Thursday, December 9, 2004 |
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Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a meeting with Mr. Gerhard Schroeder, the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence.
At the meeting, Prime Minister Koizumi and Chancellor Schroeder discussed United Nations (UN) Reform, reconstruction assistance to Iraq and Afghanistan, economic issues and other issues. The two leaders agreed to cooperate in their efforts for UN Reform, with Chancellor Schroeder saying that, "The momentum for reform is now gaining pace and I aim to advance reform before summer arrives," to which Prime Minister Koizumi responded, saying, "We should not let this opportunity pass." They also agreed to support African countries gaining permanent membership in the Security Council. As for Japan-Germany cooperation for reconstruction assistance to Iraq, they agreed to provide education and training with the Iraqi police officers in Governorate of Al-Muthanna, where Japan is deploying its Self-Defense Forces. Regarding economic issues, Prime Minister Koizumi noted that, "Countries around the world are increasingly concerning the surging price of oil," to which Chancellor Schroeder said, "To some extent the surge in oil price is caused by speculation, and speculations may be restricted by improving transparency in oil price." The two leaders agreed to raise this issue on the agenda of the G8 Summit next year. The two leaders then held a joint press conference, and Prime Minister Koizumi said, "I am pleased that we were able to hold such a productive bilateral meeting. There are many areas in which Japan and Germany can cooperate in the international community through advancing our bilateral cooperative and friendly relations. I think the meeting was fruitful and substantive."
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