Japan-Finland Summit Meeting
September 2006
From around 14:00 (Japan Time: about 20:00) on 8 September, 2006, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, visiting Finland, held a summit meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Matti Taneli Vanhanen for about one hour at the Government Banquet Hall. This summit meeting was the second of its kind; the first was held in May 2005 in Tokyo.
1. Bilateral Relations
(1) Finnish Prime Minister Vanhanen first welcomed the visit by Prime Minister Koizumi and offered congratulations on the birth of the son of Her Imperial Highness Princess Akishino. He then stated that he was very pleased with the firm development of bilateral relations in economy, trade and welfare. In response, Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his appreciation for Prime Minister Vanhanen's invitation and hospitality, and stated that he would like to further develop the friendly and cooperative relationship between Japan and Finland as partners who share basic values as well as knowledge, and agendas as developed countries.
(2) Both Prime Ministers welcomed the steady implementation of cooperation on aging society and social welfare, and agreed that both countries would further cooperate in education and competitiveness of economy.
2. Japan-EU Relations
Prime Minister Koizumi paid respect to the active role played by Finland as EU presidency holder. In response, Prime Minister Vanhanen stated that he highly evaluated the development of cooperative relations between Japan and EU and the strategic dialogues concerning East Asia and Central Asia had been launched respectively with a success.
3. ASEM
Prime Minister Koizumi stated that he would like to cooperate actively for the success of the ASEM 6th summit meeting and Prime Minister Vanhanen also said that he would like to cooperate with Japan to deliver good results.
4. North Korea
(1) Prime Minister Koizumi highly evaluated the fact that Finland firmly condemns North Korea's missiles launches as EU presidency and mentioned that Japan is demanding for North Korea immediate and unconditional return to the Six-Party Talks and early settlement of the abduction issue as abduction is a serious human rights issue, and emphasized the importance of the fact that the UN Security Council resolution was unanimously adopted. Prime Minister Koizumi then stated that he wished to cooperate with Finland and the international community on these issues.
(2) Prime Minister Vanhanen stated that he understood well enough Japan's concerns over North Korea related matters and that the EU also supported the early resumption of the Six-Party Talks. He also said that Finland as a member and president of the EU was ready to cooperate with Japan as much as possible to resolve North Korea related matters.
5. Iran's Nuclear Issue
(1) Prime Minister Koizumi stated that the international community needed to be united to put great pressure on Iran to stop its nuclear related activities and return to the table of negotiation, and said that he had advised former Iranian President Hatami and Foreign Minister Mottaki that it was important for Iran not to be isolated but to cooperate with the international community.
(2) In response, Prime Minister Vanhanen stated that Finland was not satisfied with Iran's response on this issue, and that the EU was also making diplomatic efforts to solve the issue.
6. Middle East
Prime Minister Koizumi expressed condolence for the loss of Finish personnel who had been participating in the United Nations Peace Keeping Operations in Lebanon resulting from an air bombing by the Israelite force, while appreciated the active commitment by Finland to the stability of the Middle Eastern region. He said that Japan would also continue to make its creative contribution to that region. Prime Minister Vanhanen said that Finland would also continue to contribute to the stability of the Middle Eastern region.
7. United Nations Reform
Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his gratitude for support of Finland for Japan's bid for permanent membership of the U.N. Security Council and for last year's G4 resolution. Prime Minister Vanhanen replied that there was no change in Finland's position.
8. Energy, Climate and Environment
Both Prime Ministers confirmed that they would cooperate with each other to have the issues of energy and climate change discussed at the ASEM Security Meeting.
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