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What's up around the Prime Minister > June, 2005 |
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Japan-Czech Republic Summit Meeting
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a meeting with Mr. Jiri Paroubek, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At the meeting, the two leaders discussed about bilateral economic relations, the United Nations (UN) reform and the situation in Europe among other topics. With regard to the economic relations between Japan and the Czech Republic, Prime Minister Koizumi commented, "I am happy to see that the exchanges between Japan and the Czech Republic are expanding steadily in accordance with the joint statement that was issued on the occasion of my visit to the Czech Republic two years ago." To this, Prime Minister Paroubek responded, "While the average annual economic growth rate of the European Union (EU) stands at two to three percent, the Czech Republic is enjoying a rate of over four percent. Our country completely owes this to foreign investment, and as such we highly evaluate the role of Japanese-affiliated companies in our country which has very stable social and political systems." On the topic of the UN reform, Prime Minister Paroubek remarked, "The Czech Republic is in support of Japan's goal to become a permanent member of the Security Council." In response, Prime Minister Koizumi said, "We are encouraged by the Czech Republic's view on the UN reform. If the UN reform is not realized this year, it will never be." Furthermore, Prime Minister Koizumi announced that, "There is a draft proposal for reform that the Group of Four (G4) countries have jointly proposed, and we intend to realize the reform by this summer." On the results of the European Union (EU) summit meeting, Prime Minister Paroubek commented that, "The current situation seems very difficult. There is a need to gain deep and full understanding of the public on the significance of expanding the member countries." Prime Minister Koizumi then stated, "The people in Europe may be hesitant about the change and this may delay the flow but would never change its course. I believe this issue not only concerns Europe but also affects Asia. Going forward, I expect for Japan and the Czech Republic to cooperate through the international community as well as through the EU."
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