Japan-Czech Foreign Ministerial Meeting

February 15, 2007

On February 14 (Wed), Mr. Aso Taro, Minister for Foreign Affairs, had a foreign ministerial meeting with Mr. Karel Schwarzenberg, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, to exchange views on bilateral relations and international issues for about 30 minutes from about 17:20 in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Aso mentioned the "Arc of Freedom and Prosperity" and stated that he would like to strengthen cooperative relations with the Czech Republic as a partner which shared the same values. Mr. Schwarzenberg said that the Czech Republic regarded the principle of the "Arc of Freedom and Prosperity" as a common theme and that he wished to promote concrete cooperation.
Mr. Schwarzenberg said that he welcomed the expansion of Japanese investment and expected further expansion of investment and trade. In response, Mr. Aso stated that he expected the further improvement of the Czech business environment.
Both Ministers confirmed their endorsement of V4 + 1 cooperation (cooperation between the Visegrad Four Countries: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia, and Japan). They agreed on arranging to hold V4 +1 Foreign Ministerial Meetings and political dialogue of the directors general in charge.
Both Ministers exchanged opinions on the situation in Kosovo and North Korea, reform of the UN Security Council, and other issues.