Top �� Speeches and Statements by Prime Minister

(Provisional Translation)

Joint Press Conference (Summary)

April 28, 2003

1. President Aznar I am very pleased that Prime Minister Koizumi is here with us today. This is the first official visit by a Japanese prime minister to Spain in 16 years, and I would like to extend the warmest welcome to him. Spain and Japan have a good relationship. As we held the summit in such a fine atmosphere, I would like now to sustain these good relations and to continue to develop our bilateral relationship. At today's talks, we exchanged opinions on business, politics and economic issues. From economic data, Japan is Spain's top trading partner in Asia, and Spanish companies have increased their presence in Japan. In regard to tourism, we spoke of our desire to increase the flow of people between Spain and Japan. We agreed that the exchanges of people should be increased considerably, as Japan and Spain possess different cultures and are highly interested in each other. Three major topics were discussed at today's Summit; the first one was the issue of Iraq. Japan and Spain shared the same position on the war in Iraq, supporting the coalition forces. We had shared the same perspectives on the use of military force before the war began, and we shared the same values during the war and continue to share these in the postwar reconstruction process. As reconstruction moves into full swing, we agreed that both countries would make concerted efforts in this regard and the role of the United Nations is important in the reconstruction process. Given these circumstances,I think we can say that Japan and Spain are truly alliance partners. The second topic was the issue of North Korea. As the tripartite talks recently began among the United States of America, China and North Korea, in regard to North Korea, Spain hopes that Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) will participate in the talks and a peaceful diplomatic solution will be found to the issue. Spain would also like to support Prime Minister Koizumi's idea of requesting the cooperation of the EU in the future. Thirdly, we discussed peace in the Middle East. On peace in the Middle East, we support the road-map, and recognize the establishment of the Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) cabinet as a considerable achievement. Japan and Spain have a very close political relationship, and I hope to further strengthen this relationship. 2. Prime Minister Koizumi Although I have privately traveled twice to Spain before, this is the first official visit by a Japanese prime minister to Spain in 16 years. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to His Majesty the King of Spain, President Aznar and the Spanish people for their warm welcome. As President Aznar has already explained, we discussed a range of matters such as the issue of Iraq, the issue of North Korea and our bilateral relationship at today's Summit. Concerning the issue of Iraq, Japan and Spain have addressed the issue in similar fashion, and there are many fields in which our countries could cooperate, while we emphasized the role of the United Nations in the future reconstruction of Iraq. It is important that countries around the world make concerted efforts to create an environment where a government of the Iraqis for the Iraqis by the Iraqis can build the Iraqi nation. I believe that this is also an extremely valuable opportunity to realize peace in the Middle East. It is important that the international community takes great interest in peace in the Middle East and cooperate for this end. I explained the current situation in regard to North Korea. Japan and the United States would carefully analyze the ostensible statements of North Korea at the recent tripartite talks and its true intention. While China had played a significant role in bringing about the tripartite talks, the participation of Japan and the ROK would become essential from the viewpoint of nuclear development, abductions and the entire Korean peninsula. I would ask China, Russia and the EU to devote their attention to those issues, as a peaceful diplomatic solution involving the entire international community is essential. The response to North Korea will differ from the response to Iraq. I explained that we should pursue a peaceful diplomatic solution in regard to North Korea, and gained the support from President Aznar in this regard. Concerning our bilateral relationship, we took up tourism. Fifty million people visit Spain every year; yet fewer than five million tourists visit Japan, which is roughly equivalent to one-tenth of Spain's. Tourism is an effective and important industry to promote growth of a nation. I believe Japan has much to learn from Spain, a leading world tourist destination. Japan is now looking to put a lot of efforts into this area. I would also like to welcome investment from Spain and the entry of Spanish companies into Japan. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is having an influence on a large number of people. With many people postponing travel, the epidemic will also have a significant impact on the economy. There is no case of infection in Japan yet, but this is also concerns for Japan with drastic increase in the infection rate in neighboring countries which attract a number of Japanese travelers in particular. Japan is studying preventive measures and measures to contain actual cases if they occur. If China or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) were to request the cooperation of Japan, we would gladly extend our assistance. Japan sent its responsible minister to the ASEAN+3 Ministers of Health Special Meeting on SARS, which has taken place recently, and Japan will address this issue in cooperation not only with the World Health Organization (WHO) but with the relevant countries as well.