Visit to Japan of President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr. of the Republic of Palau
(Outline and Evaluation)

7 August 2001

1. Outline and Evaluation

(1) President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr. of the Republic of Palau paid an informal visit to Japan from Wednesday 1 to Wednesday 8 August 2001.

(2) On Friday 3 August, President Remengesau had talks with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Tanaka, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Tsutomu Takebe, Minister of the Environment Yoriko Kawaguchi, and others, as well as attending a working dinner hosted by Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shigeo Uetake. Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Toshio Kojima was also present at the working dinner.

(3) During his stay, President Remengesau completed an energetic schedule in the local community, which included a welcome event in Kita-harao, Zao-machi, Miyagi Prefecture (a settlement for returnees from Palau after the war) and a ceremony held in Mie Prefecture marking the fifth anniversary of the Palau-Mie Prefecture Friendship Alliance.

(4) This visit was meaningful in that it enabled President Remengesau, who assumed office in January of this year, to confirm the further promotion of Japan-Palau friendly and cooperative relations among main members of the Koizumi Cabinet and other officials, and deepen grass roots-level exchange in the local community.

2. Main Points in the Summit Meeting and Meeting with Foreign Minister Tanaka

(1) Appreciation of Japanese Economic Cooperation
President Remengesau expressed his appreciation of Japanese economic cooperation so far and affirmed expectations toward continued cooperation. Furthermore, he stated that he would like for the appropriate people from Japan to attend the completion ceremony of the KB Bridge at the end of this year.

(2) Global Warming Issues
President Remengesau commended Japan's positive efforts with regard to the Kyoto Protocol, whereupon Prime Minister Koizumi replied that he would like for both countries to cooperate toward its entry into force in the year 2002. Foreign Minister Tanaka also stated that the Japanese Government was making earnest efforts in that regard.

(3) Expectations Toward the Next Japan-South Pacific Forum Summit Meeting
President Remengesau noted that the last Japan-South Pacific Forum Summit Meeting in April 2000 was a huge success and that he would like Prime Minister Koizumi to host the next summit meeting. Prime Minister Koizumi replied that he would certainly like to host the meeting if he were still in office.

(4) President Remengesau remarked that he would be delighted if Prime Minister Koizumi were to visit Palau.

(5) President Hiroshi Mitsuzuka of the Japan-Palau Parliamentarians' League and Chief Secretary Seishiro Eto also attended the Summit Meeting.