Japan-Bulgaria Summit Meeting
(Summary)
December 16, 2004
On December 15, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a summit meeting with Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg of the Republic of Bulgaria, who was visiting Japan. The summary of the meeting is as follows. Please refer to separate pages for the two leaders' Joint Statement on Partnership between Japan and the Republic of Bulgaria.
1. Bilateral Relations
| (1) | At the beginning of the meeting, the two leaders looked back on those days when Prime Minister Saxe-Coburg, the former king of Bulgaria, had returned from exile after democratization of Bulgaria and had been appointed as Prime Minister. Prime Minister Koizumi then stated that recently Japanese people felt increasingly close to Bulgaria, through the renown of Bulgarian yoghurt and the excellent performance of Kotooshu, a Bulgarian sumo wrestler. Prime Minister Saxe-Coburg expressed his delight that Bulgaria was well known in Japan. |
| (2) | Prime Minister Koizumi stated his expectation that Prime Minister Saxe-Coburg's visit to Japan would provide an impetus for further developments in the cooperation between Japan and Bulgaria, noting the signing of the Agreement on Technical Cooperation between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria. In response, Prime Minister Saxe-Coburg expressed his satisfaction with the signing of the Agreement on Technical Cooperation, noting that it would be very important for Bulgaria as he expected that the Agreement would contribute to achieving favorable results. |
| (3) | In response to Prime Minister Saxe-Coburg noting the attractive tourist site that Bulgaria boasts, Prime Minister Koizumi declared that the Government of Japan decided to exempt visa requirements for the nationals of the Republic of Bulgaria for short-term stays in Japan and expressed his hope that this decision would enhance bilateral exchanges. |
| (4) | Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his gratitude for Bulgaria's decision to participate in "the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan", to which Prime Minister Saxe-Coburg responded that Bulgaria would make efforts to present an impressive exhibition in the Bulgarian pavilion. Prime Minister Koizumi also (mentioned Japan's efforts in the area of environmental protection) in connection with the theme of the Aichi Expo that is the compatibility of the environment and economic development. Prime Minister Saxe-Coburg stated that Bulgaria would like to follow Japan's positive attitude to those issues. |
2. International Situation
(1) United Nations Reform
Prime Minister Koizumi noted that since both Japan and Bulgaria had been members of the Axis Powers in World War II, they had been subjected to the former enemy clause of the United Nations (UN) Charter. Prime Minister Koizumi went on to point out that momentum for UN reform was now picking up pace, with Japan making efforts towards the realization of reform. Prime Minister Saxe-Coburg responded expressing his support for Japan to become a permanent member of the Security Council, noting Bulgaria's intention to work together with Japan towards reform of the UN, including the expansion of the Security Council.
(2) Iraq
Prime Minister Koizumi stated that it was necessary to undertake humanitarian assistance activities in order for the people of Iraq to establish their government by themselves. Prime Minister Saxe-Coburg stated that it was vital that the upcoming election bring about good results and that stability be achieved in Iraq.
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