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Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a meeting with Mr. Jacques Chirac, the President of the French Republic, at the Ikura Kokan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the issues of the European Union (EU) lifting its ban on export of arms to China, the United Nations (UN) reform, the International Fusion Energy Project (ITER) among other topics. Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his opposition regarding the EU lifting its ban on export of arms to China, whereas President Chirac stated his view that the lifting of the ban would not actually impact the amount of arms exported to China, but rather is more of a matter of how to approach China. With regard to the UN reform, President Chirac announced that France is in favor of Japan becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council with the power of veto. As for the site of ITER, which Japan and Europe are competing over, Prime Minister Koizumi said, "I intend to search for a resolution with which both sides will be satisfied," and President Chirac said, "I am confident that a resolution can be drawn up in a friendly manner." As such, the leaders agreed to continue their discussions on this issue. Prime Minister Koizumi and President Chirac held a joint press conference after their meeting and announced the "Declaration of New Japan-France Partnership," in which the two sides agreed to host summit meetings on a regular basis and enhance strategic dialogues among high-level officials.