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

Japan-New Zealand Summit Meeting Thursday, June 2, 2005 JAPANESE Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a meeting with Ms. Helen Clark, the Prime Minister of New Zealand at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At the meeting, the two leaders discussed a variety of topics, including promotion of closer bilateral relations especially in the economic front, East Asian regional cooperation, reform of the United Nations (UN) Security Council and the situation in Asia. Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his appreciation for New Zealand's participation in the 2005 World Exposition held in Aichi Prefecture. To this, Prime Minister Clark said, "Although there was some opposition, I acted on my own will to decide on our participation, especially in consideration of the importance of our relations with Japan." Prime Minister Koizumi reconfirmed the importance of bilateral relations and said, "Through the occasion of the World Exposition, I am expecting that the people-to-people exchanges between our countries will be promoted." Both leaders welcomed the conclusion of a memorandum by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology of New Zealand to promote cooperation in research and development, saying that they wished to develop a broad range of science and technology such as information and communications technology. With regard to the UN reform, Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his appreciation for New Zealand's support for Japan's bid to become a permanent member of the Security Council. Related link:JAPAN-NEW ZEALAND JOINT PRESS STATEMENT