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Top Speeches and Statements by Prime Minister |
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Joint Press Conference Following the 13th Japan-EU Summit MeetingJune 22, 2004
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Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi: This is the 13th Japan-EU Summit Meeting, and the first meeting since the European Union (EU) enlarged to 25 member states this May. I hope this Summit Meeting has served as an important step forward for future exchanges between Japan and the EU. I highly welcome this opportunity to hold a meeting with Mr. Bertie Ahern, Prime Minister of Ireland and Mr. Romano Prodi, the President of the European Commission. The visit by Prime Minister Ahern to Japan is the first time in eight years as prime minister of Ireland and we held a meeting regarding our cooperative bilateral relations prior to the Japan-EU Summit Meeting. Prime Minister Ahern, President Prodi and I were all acquainted with each other on the occasion of the recent Sea Island Summit Meeting, we were able to carry on frank and intimate discussions. We received suggestions and opinions from representatives of the economic circles of both Japan and the EU in advance of today's Japan-EU Summit Meeting. The suggestions we received are beneficial and significant for the development of Japan-EU economic relations. Japan and the EU share common values of democracy and market economy. From such a perspective and when considering future development of the EU in particular and the economic strength of Japan and the EU, I believe our bilateral relations would bear greater importance. Three years ago cooperation between Japan and the EU resulted in the adoption of the "Action Plan for EU-Japan Cooperation" in Brussels. We have made efforts on strengthening the Japan-EU relations in accordance with the Action Plan, but I envision the areas of cooperation between Japan and the EU expanding to new horizons not only on the bilateral level but also in the international context. We have today issued a joint declaration on disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and have agreed to cooperate towards reinforcement of the international system for disarmament and non-proliferation. We also agreed on the early realization of the Japan-EU consultation on counter-terrorism. On the economic front, while taking negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) into consideration, Japan and the EU agreed to cooperate constructively to reach an interim agreement by July. In addition, cooperation will be implemented in areas such as promotion for investment, protection of intellectual property rights, information and communication technology as well as the environment and customs duties. Japan and the EU should look into what they can do for further development of the society and economy. As the two account for approximately 40% of the world gross domestic product (GDP), it is important for Japan and the EU to strengthen their cooperative ties and together endeavor for growth of the world economy while each referring to the measures taken by each side, not to mention the importance of advancing own economies and reforms. I would like to further exchange opinions with Prime Minister Ahern and President Prodi on the international situation including Iraq and North Korea over dinner. Prime Minister Bertie Ahern of Ireland: Thank you very much Prime Minister Koizumi for your kind words and for your kind words of welcome. It is a great pleasure to be here in Tokyo today for the 13th Japan-EU Summit. In our presidency over the last six months, we have maintained and strengthened the EU's focus on Asia and regional issues. We have worked hard to develop our relationship with our Asian partners. We may be far away geographically, but I think we continue to increase our contacts and our cooperation on issues of common concern in the international stage. In particular, Prime Minister, the European Security Strategy identifies Japan as a key strategic partner for the EU in cooperating to tackle the threats facing us and to achieve our shared objectives. The EU is committed to enhancing this partnership, and the discussions we have had here today have demonstrated that we share common values and common concerns. We continue to identify practical ways to enhance our cooperation as we work together to achieve our common goals in whatever area of the world. As a major economic and political player, Japan plays an important role in the international community and particularly in the whole United Nations (UN) system to which both the EU and Japan are strongly committed. As the EU, we remain committed to the Action Plan for Japan-EU Cooperation, and we will continue to develop our relations and cooperation across all issues: political, economic and - perhaps of most relevance to our citizens - to have people-to-people contacts and tourism. In the face, Prime Minister, of today's global situation, the EU and Japan can work together not only to address the difficulties and challenges but to harness the opportunities as we seek to make a difference. Of course, we are far stronger when we work together. I look forward to strengthening and deepening our relations with you, Prime Minister, and your Government in the implementation of the Action Plan and on the initiatives and declarations that we have adopted today towards the next Japan-EU Summit. I would also like to say that we are very pleased today to be able to have, between the Republic of Ireland and Japan, a bilateral meeting and to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern to develop our ongoing contacts between Japanese business and Ireland and increasing the Irish investment in Japan in line with your policy, particularly in the area of Information and Communication Technology. Hopefully, we continue to build on that as the joint strategy we were given today by the Japan-EU Business Dialogue Round Table (BDRT). We look forward to working towards that document in the future, and so I thank you. President of the European Commission Romano Prodi: As always, I am very pleased to be here in Japan. My only regret is that this is the last Summit I will attend as President of the European Commission. During the past five years, many things have changed for the better in our relations. Today, I am happy to say that they have never been so good. They are really excellent. We have also a clear understanding of the future direction. I have to be very grateful to Prime Minister Koizumi because he understood always the importance of Europe for Japan and the importance of Japan for Europe. In these five years, clearly, many things have changed in Europe: we have introduced the euro that is the new protagonist in the world economy that has contributed to make our world more pluralistic and balanced. Last May, we had ten new member states join the Union, and, finally, thanks to the efforts of Prime Minister Ahern of Ireland, we have a new Constitution. So even if I am a little sad, I feel myself quite happy that the Union now has much stronger relations with Japan, and it is a much stronger Union than it was in 1999. I feel that this is important because only a strong Europe can have authority and self-confidence to keep long-lasting positive and strong relations with Japan. Self-confidence is so important for all of us. I am so happy because I insisted so many times with my friend, Prime Minister Koizumi of Japan, that Japan is a country that must have more self-confidence in itself. All the figures that I have now actually show that the enormous Japanese potential is going in the right direction. We have much better perspective than what we had only one year ago. Today, the economic recovery is going on. Also, the atmosphere of this Summit was very positive because, as the Prime Ministers said, together, we can do a lot and we can make substantial improvement not only to the quantity but to the quality of economic development and positive political developments of the world. Japan and Europe share the responsibility for multilateralism, for sustainable development, and we have to go on in this direction.
Question: I have a question for Prime Minister Koizumi on the issue of Iraq.o of the major powers in the EU, namely France and Germany, have not swerved from their posture of not participating in the multinational force in Iraq after the hand-over of sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government. Do you think therefore that the international coordination structure to which you aspire for the reconstruction of Iraq is actually something that it would be possible to realize? Prime Minister Koizumi: It was due to the keen awareness of the importance of establishing international cooperation, that the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on the transfer of sovereignty to Iraq and towards the cooperation of UN members in assistance for Iraq reconstruction. France and Germany are both perfectly at liberty to choose not to send troops to Iraq. Both of these countries have troops dispatched in Afghanistan. It is only natural that the form of assistance will vary from country to country. Japan is not able to provide the same assistance provided by the United States and United Kingdom. Japan will provide reconstruction assistance to the Iraqi people in a manner that is unique and appropriate for Japan. Therefore Japan is seeking to provide reconstruction assistance to Iraq in an appropriate manner, while recognizing its responsibilities as a UN member state. I am sure the case is the same for France and Germany too. Japan is eager to lend a helping hand to assist the Iraqi people in creating a stable democratic government at time when not only Japan and the EU, but the entire international community is united in looking to provide assistance for Iraqi people themselves to rebuild their country. Question: Prime Minister Ahern, on what was agreed today, how would that specifically help investment between the EU and Japan? And any progress on Mr. Prodi's successor? Prime Minister Ahern: Well, on the first question, I think we have agreed on many things today. Very importantly, we have received a very comprehensive document, which of course we will study, but we know what the outline of it is from the Japan-EU Business Dialogue Round Table. It is pointing to the roles of how we can collectively work together to expand and grow our business links and our trade links. We have spelled out today areas where we believe we can do that. The Prime Minister has a strong policy that is known the world over about people putting foreign direct investment into Japan to develop tourism, to double its tourism numbers over this decade - these are very important from the business point of view. And they open up an enormous amount of opportunities and exchanges for businesses to grow and develop. Even as a small country, Ireland knows that because of its four billion trade both ways, and that has extended and opened new opportunities. But, as the President of the Commission pointed out today, when you take the European market and the Japanese market, it is an enormous part of the gross domestic product (GDP) of the world. I think our discussions today, not only in trade, but seeing how we can develop investment and develop our business links are important and how we can work on a position on the World Trade Organization (WTO) Round - these are all very important. On your last question, hopefully next week, we will turn to this issue if we have an agreed name. As you know, we do not have an agreed name yet. After the European parliamentary elections just a week ago, there is an obligation on us in Europe to take account of what the result of the European election is, so there have to be further consultations. There will be, and we will return to that issue, hopefully next week. President Prodi stays in office until 31 October so there is no panic. Question: Although you have announced that this is the last Summit you will attend as the President of the European Commission, I am personally hoping that we will be seeing you as the Prime Minister of Italy again. Now, my question is, it is said that the European side will not attend the next Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), but what are your views on the future of Asia, Mr. Prodi? President Prodi: As you know, the problem is still under discussion. There is not a definite decision taken. On the EU side, there is a principle that we work for the respect of democracy, human rights, and minority rights. These are the criteria that we used for our relations with all other people so we shall use the same criteria with this. I think that now we must use pressure in order to get progress in this direction. Then, we shall make a decision, but I do hope that we can have a regular Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), because this is for the better of all of us. This is a meeting that will be important for helping our mutual relations. Clearly, we cannot give up our principles because we live on principles.
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