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Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a meeting with Mr. Marek Belka, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At the meeting, the two leaders discussed efforts toward reconstruction assistance to Iraq, economic relations, the situation in Ukraine, assistance measures for the earthquake that occurred off the coast of Sumatra, reform of the United Nations (UN), among other issues. At the beginning of the meeting, Prime Minister Koizumi said, "I am happy to see that bilateral relations between Japan and Poland are steadily expanding in line with the 'Joint Statement towards the Strategic Partnership between Japan and the Republic of Poland, ' which I signed during my visit to Poland in 2003. I would like to further develop the friendly, cooperative relations between the two nations." Following this, Prime Minister Belka said regarding economic relations, "Poland is working to develop infrastructure, among other things, to promote the expansion of businesses into the Polish market by Japanese companies." In response, Prime Minister Koizumi said, "The people of Poland are very pro-Japan, and those in economic circles have said that Japanese companies that have expanded into Poland have high standards. Over 100 Japanese companies are to expand their businesses into Poland as a result." Regarding the reconstruction of Iraq, Prime Minister Belka said, "Both countries have dispatched troops to Iraq. Poland [which has command in addition to the United States and United Kingdom] will not suddenly withdraw and bring about negative consequences for Iraq." To this, Prime Minister Koizumi responded, saying that, "I would like to express my respect for Poland's contribution through the dispatch of their troops. Japan would also like to support the political process in Iraq." Thus the two leaders agreed to support the reconstruction of Iraq. As for the presidential election in Ukraine, Prime Minister Koizumi said, "Poland played a large role in overcoming the situation," and the two leaders agreed to cooperate to promote democratization in Ukraine. Furthermore, with respect to the damage caused by the tsunami that occurred off the coast of Sumatra, Prime Minister Belka said, "Poland highly appreciates the aid that the Government of Japan has provided for the countries that were hit by the tsunami." Prime Minister Koizumi then said, "Countries around the world, including Japan and Poland, must offer their support. Japan intends to establish a special session on earthquakes at the UN World Conference on Disaster Reduction that will be held in Kobe next week and propose its own assistance measures to response to tsunami disasters." The two leaders held a joint press conference on the meeting after its conclusion.

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