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

Japan-Solomon Islands Summit Meeting Monday, July 11, 2005 JAPANESE Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a meeting with Mr. Allan Kemakeza, the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At the meeting, the two leaders discussed about the bilateral relations, the United Nations (UN) Security Council reform and the Pacific Island Leaders Meeting (PALM), among other topics. At the beginning of the meeting, Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his gratitude for the Solomon Islands' participation in the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan. He further commented that he had been concerned about the conflict in the Solomon Islands and would like to welcome the improvement in security in the recent years. Prime Minister Kemakeza expressed his gratitude towards the cooperation of the Government of Japan in holding a meeting last month to discuss about economic cooperation between the two countries. As for the UN reform, Prime Minister Kemakeza stated that the Solomon Islands is fully committed to the draft resolution submitted by the Group of Four (G4) countries and expressed the country's support for Japan's bid to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Prime Minister Kemakeza further remarked that the Solomon Islands is in support of Japan's position with respect to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and requested for Japan's continued assistance in the form of economic cooperation. Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his appreciation for the support of the Solomon Islands on the issues of the UN Security Council reform and the IWC and stated, "We are thankful for the considerations shown by the Solomon Islands in spite of the trouble Japan had caused to the country during the World War II when it was a combating zone." In closing, Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his strong wish for the Solomon Islands to participate in the PALM which is scheduled to be held next year.