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Statement by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi |
January 13, 2002 |
| 1. | The Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement that I have just signed together with Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong is the first regional trade agreement to be signed by Japan. |
| 2. | It also marks the first Economic Partnership Agreement in Asia, and I expect that this Agreement will not be limited to only bilateral relations between Japan and Singapore, but will also provide a model for economic relations between Japan and the nations of Asia. |
| 3. | This Agreement not only covers trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, but also strengthens economic partnership across a broad range of areas, such as financial services, information and communication technologies, science and technology, human resources development, trade and investment promotion, small and medium-sized enterprises, broadcasting, as well as tourism, thus accommodating the needs of a new age. |
| 4. | I hope that the conclusion of this Agreement will help to advance efforts in the World Trade Organization (WTO), and further revitalize the economies of both nations. |
| 5. | For further prosperity of the region and with reference to this Agreement, I have proposed an Initiative for Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Partnership to strengthen the economic partnership between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong's support for this Initiative is particularly encouraging. |
| 6. | I believe that there are many areas in which Japan and Singapore can cooperate to contribute to the stability and prosperity of the region. I hope that in the future, while "acting together and advancing together" with Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, we can cooperate even more closely. |
| Thank you very much |