Visit to Japan by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong of the Republic of Singapore
(Summary and Evaluation)
25 October 2000
1. Overview
Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong of the Republic of Singapore visited Japan from Saturday 21 to Monday 23 October, accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Law S Jayakumar and Minister of Trade and Industry George Yeo. During his stay in Japan, Prime Minister Goh held a Summit Meeting with Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, followed by meetings with Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono, Minister of International Trade and Industry Takeo Hiranuma, and Minister of State, Director-General Taiichi Sakaiya of the Economic Planning Agency.
2. Purpose of the visit
(1) Japan-Singapore Economic Agreement for a New Age Partnership (JSEPA)
To exchange views on the recommendations of the joint report submitted to the two leaders by the joint study group based on the Summit Meeting held between then Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and Prime Minister Goh during the latter's visit to Japan in December 1999.
(2) Maintenance and enhancement of relations of personal trust
To maintain and further enhance personal relations of trust forged to date--despite the fact that Prime Minister Mori and Prime Minister Goh are old friends--given that this would be the first meeting of the two leaders since Prime Minister Mori assumed office.
3. Specific outcomes
(1) Japan-Singapore Economic Agreement for a New Age Partnership (JSEPA)
The two leaders decided to begin formal negotiations for the Agreement in January 2001 based on the recommendations of the joint report, and to conclude the agreement within a reasonably short period of time, but not later than 31 December 2001.
(2) Early launching of the new WTO round
The two Prime Ministers affirmed that they would continue to cooperate toward the early launching of the new WTO round based on the principle of maintaining and strengthening the multilateral trade system.
(3) Cooperation in the area of IT
It was confirmed that the two countries would cooperate in the area of IT.
(4) Invitation for Prime Minister Mori to make an official visit to Singapore
Prime Minister Goh invited Prime Minister Mori to make an official visit to Singapore.
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