On Thursday, June 28, commencing at 5:45 p.m. for around 30 minutes, Mr. Yoshihiko Noda, Prime Minister of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Nika Gilauri, Prime Minister of Georgia, who is visiting Japan. An overview of the meeting is as follows.

1. Bilateral relations - general
   
   (1) Prime Minister Noda welcomed Prime Minister Gilauri to Japan, and noted that this year will mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Georgia, and that he hopes to use this as an opportunity to further develop the relationship between the two countries. Additionally, the Prime Minister said that he expects the recent establishment of the Japan-Georgia Parliamentary Friendship League to serve as an opportunity to advance parliamentary exchanges. Prime Minister Noda also expressed his gratitude for the support Japan received from Georgia at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
   
   (2) In response, Prime Minister Gilauri expressed his gratitude for the economic cooperation Japan has extended thus far over the 20-year period since Georgia gained independence, and for the support that Japan has provided in the international arena, including the United Nations. He said he would like to use the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to advance bilateral relations further.
   
   
2. Economic relations
   
   (1) Prime Minister Noda highly praised the fact that results are being achieved with anticorruption measures and reform efforts in Georgia, and pointed out that in order to further strengthen relations between the two countries, it will be important to present an excellent business environment to the Japanese side. Additionally, he said he would like to move ahead with further cooperation, including the "GUAM plus Japan" framework.
   
   (2) In response, Prime Minister Gilauri explained the results of efforts to improve the business environment in Georgia, and Georgia's superiority as a regional hub, along with expressing strong expectation toward future advances into the market by Japanese companies.
   
   
3. International affairs
   
   (1) Prime Minister Noda pointed out that the stability and development of the South Caucasus region, which is a transportation corridor for energy resources, is important for stabilizing the international energy market, and expressed expectations toward Georgia's efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region.
   Additionally, Prime Minister Noda said he would like the two countries to work cooperatively on international challenges in the future as well, including the reform of the UN Security Council. Prime Minister Noda also expressed gratitude for Georgia's consistent support of Japan's position on the human rights situation in North Korea, including the abduction issues, along with requesting Georgia's continued cooperation.
   
   (2) In response, Prime Minister Gilauri said Georgia will continue to support Japan's position on North Korea's human rights situation, and highly praised the cooperative relationship between Japan and Georgia in various fields, including the UN.