Top > What's up around the Prime Minister > May, 2005

Japan-Portugal Summit Meeting Thursday, May 26, 2005 JAPANESE Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a meeting with Mr. Jorge Fernando Branco de Sampaio, the President of the Portuguese Republic at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At the meeting, the two leaders discussed about their bilateral relations and international situations among other topics. With regard to their bilateral relations, President Sampaio commented that in the cities he visited including Kyoto and Nara, he was able to sense the friendly way in which Japanese people regard Portugal. He also stated his wish to further intensify their bilateral relations in areas such as culture and investment. In response, Prime Minister Koizumi noted on the impact the arrival of Portuguese people had on Japanese history and shared his expectation for the vitalization of exchanges in various areas. As for the United Nations (UN) reform, President Sampaio stated that Portugal always has a positive attitude towards Japan becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council and that it expects further advancement in the relations between Japan and the European Union (EU). Prime Minister Koizumi noted the 14th Japan-EU Summit that was held in Luxembourg on May 2, 2005 and said, "Japan is also working to further broaden its exchanges with the EU. As 2005 is the EU-Japan Year of People-to-People Exchanges, I am glad that various events are taking place in Portugal in connection to this."