Press Conference, 9 June 2006

Teleconference between Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso and President Kay Rala Xanana Gusumao of Timor-Leste
Announcements
Question concerning situation in Timor-Leste
Question concerning upcoming EEZ talks between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK)

I. Teleconference between Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso and President Kay Rala Xanana Gusumao of Timor-Leste

Deputy Press Secretary Tomohiko Taniguchi: Good afternoon. First, there was a teleconference between Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso and President Kay Rala Xanana Gusumao of Timor-Leste. That took place on 8 June, and everything about it is already uploaded on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where you can learn more about it.

Related Information (Press Release)

II. Announcements

Mr. Taniguchi: I have got just a short list of four announcements.

First, there was a handover ceremony for disaster relief goods with regard to Japan's emergency grant aid for the earthquake disaster in Central Java, Republic of Indonesia. Our relief effort is still continuing.

Secondly, Japan will launch the feasibility study on the development of multimodal, high-axle load dedicated freight corridors for the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah rail routes with computerised control. This is in India.

Two other items, the titles of them are: 1) Grant Aid to Malawi for the Project for the Rehabilitation of the Bwanje Valley Irrigation System (up to 960 million yen in total); and 2) The Completion Ceremony of the Japanese Language Programs for Foreign Service Officers and Public Officials.

The latter one is a program that the Foreign Ministry has been running for some time. This year, diplomats from countries like Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Jamaica, Argentine, Turkey, Iraq, Tunisia, Ethiopia and so on have been attending. Not diplomats but public servants from countries like Mongolia, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Bangladesh, and Belarus have also been attending.

III. Question concerning situation in Timor-Leste

Q: Did President Gusumao ask Japan for help with regard to the situation in Timor-Leste?

Mr. Taniguchi: President Gusumao expressed his deep gratitude for Japan's assistance and cooperation that have taken place thus far and for the phone call from Foreign Minister Aso. That is what he said.

Related Information (Press Release)

IV. Question concerning upcoming EEZ talks between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK)

Q: Do you have any updates on the talks between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) next week about the EEZ?

Mr. Taniguchi: Not specifically. I do not have any updates at the moment.

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