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iProvisional Translationj

Joint Press Conference Following the Japan-Czech Republic Summit Meeting (Summary)

August 21, 2003 [Opening Statement by Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla] This visit to the Czech Republic by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is an epoch-making first ever visit to our country by a Japanese Prime Minister. This visit signifies that Japan-Czech Republic relations have entered a new stage of development. Our two nations have so far enjoyed friendly relations and I intend to develop them further in the future. During this summit, Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his delight that many Japanese affiliated corporations are advancing into the Czech Republic. I believe that advancement of Czech corporations into the Japanese market will fulfill an important role in our mutual economic relations. I am certain that the accession to the European Union (EU) by the Czech Republic will bring our economic relations to a new level. In international relations, the Czech Republic can make important contributions toward the issue of North Korea and fully support Japan's position. [Opening Statement by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi] As the first Japanese Prime Minister to visit the Czech Republic, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla and others concerned in the government, as well as the people of the Czech Republic for their warm welcome. Japan and the Czech Republic have so far enjoyed good relations, and we shared the view that, in light of the Czech Republic's accession to the EU, our Summit Meeting would serve as an opportunity to further develop our relations. I am convinced that Japan-Czech Republic relations will develop further in the investment and other fields, and Prime Minister Spidla and I reached a common view on this point as well. Furthermore, two nations shared the view that there is an expanding range of fields where we can cooperate on international issues such as Iraq and North Korea. I expect that as a result of this visit to Europe, Japan's relations with the EU and with the Czech Republic will deepen further. I am certain that as the EU expands, Japan-Czech Republic relations will also expand. I intend to take advantage of this Summit Meeting for further developing Japan-Czech Republic relations.