- I would like to express my deep gratitude for the warm welcome that has been extended to me by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and all others concerned, on the occasion of this visit to the Republic of the Philippines. I met President Arroyo on the occasion of the President's visit to Japan in September 2001. At that time we agreed that Japan and the Republic of the Philippines would build cooperative relations extending beyond our bilateral framework in order to respond to regional issues and global issues.
- In our meeting today we exchanged views from this perspective on the issue of terrorism, the issue of piracy, the economy, human resources development, and other matters, and agreed to cooperate in responding to these. Furthermore, the Japan-Philippines Partnership Program that we have just signed enables us to assist other nations as we continue our bilateral cooperation, and signifies that our bilateral relations are mature.
- In today's meeting I expressed my view that Japan and the ASEAN countries must build relations in which we "act together and advance together" as sincere and open partners. The President and I share a common understanding on many of these points and I believe that our meeting produced many good results. The fact that we agreed on the need to cooperate is indeed wonderful not only for Japan-Republic of the Philippines relations, but also for Japan-ASEAN relations as well as for the entire region.
- I intend to maintain close cooperative relations with President Arroyo with a view to further developing the mature relations between our nations.
- Furthermore, it was agreed that a delegation from the Republic of the Philippines would attend the Expanded Ministerial Level Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan to be held in Tokyo late this month. Moreover, I extended an invitation to President Arroyo to visit Japan this year, and the President accepted that invitation. I also look forward to receiving a positive response from the Republic of the Philippines regarding participation into the 2005 World Exposition, Japan (EXPO 2005 Aichi).
- I would like to once again express my gratitude to the Republic of the Philippines for extending warm hospitality and for hosting this fruitful Summit Meeting.
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