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What's up around the Prime Minister > April, 2005 |
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Prime Minister Attends the Asian-African Summit 2005
(Second Day)
Click photographs to enlarge
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who is visiting Indonesia to attend the Asian-African Summit 2005 observed the food distribution operation conducted by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), distribution of daily commodities by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the status of medical visit activities in Aceh Province, which incurred significant damage from the earthquake off the coast of Sumatra and the tsunami in the Indian Ocean last December. He gave his words of encouragement to the staff members who are engaged in these missions. Furthermore, Prime Minister Koizumi visited a school where buildings had collapsed as a consequence of the disaster and he was welcomed with songs and dances. After making his observations, Prime Minister Koizumi said, "They must have experienced great terror. I was encouraged by the bright smiles on the children. Although it will take some time for the region to recover from the damage, we must continue providing assistance." In the afternoon, Prime Minister Koizumi held individual meetings with Mr. Hu Jintao, the President of the People's Republic of China, and Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the President of the Republic of Indonesia. At the Japan-China Summit Meeting, Prime Minister Koizumi said, "I would like to confirm that friendly relations between Japan and China hold extreme importance not only for our two countries but also for the whole of Asia and the world and would like to develop friendly and cooperative relations." President Hu responded that, "Although we will face difficulties for some time, there is no change in China's policy to enhance its friendly relations with Japan. We appreciate Prime Minister Koizumi's view that development of China is not a threat but an opportunity." At the Japan-Indonesia Summit Meeting, Prime Minister Koizumi requested the visit by President Yudhoyono to Japan in the near future. At the press conference which followed these summit meetings, Prime Minister Koizumi said, "It was most meaningful to attend the historic Asian-African Summit 2005. Today, I was able to actually observe on the ground Banda Aceh that was afflicted by the tsunami, and I believe that was also very meaningful." |
