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

Japan-Fiji Summit Meeting Friday, June 24, 2005 JAPANESE Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a meeting with Mr. Laisenia Qarase, the Prime Minister of the Republic of the Fiji Islands at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At the meeting, the two leaders first exchanged opinions on the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan, and further discussed about the United Nations (UN) reform, the Pacific Island Leaders Meeting (PALM) and the bilateral relations among other topics. With regard to the UN reform, Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his appreciation for the support given by Fiji towards Japan as the discussion on the Security Council reform is gaining momentum. Prime Minister Qarase stated, "We are happy to support Japan's bid to become a permanent member of the Security Council. It is appropriate for the permanent membership to expand and for more Asian countries to become permanent members. We are also in support of the draft resolution and is pleased to be cosponsoring this." To this, Prime Minister Koizumi commented, "The four countries of India, Germany, Brazil and Japan are striving for the adoption of this draft resolution. As we are faced with many difficulties, we are encouraged that Fiji is joining to cosponsor this draft resolution," and he expressed his gratitude once again. Furthermore, the two leaders agreed to cooperate towards the holding of the PALM, general economic cooperation as well as cooperation to promote tourism from Japan to the Fiji Islands.