Statement by Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Enlargement of the European Union

December 13, 2002
Japanese

The Government of Japan expresses its congratulations for the decision of the Copenhagen European Council on December 13 (local time) to enlarge the European Union. Japan pays its respects to the efforts made by the EU and the countries newly joining the EU, and hopes that the present enlargement will lead to the stability and prosperity of Europe and the international community as well.
Japan and the EU share common values and special responsibilities in the international community. Under the Decade of Japan-Europe Co-operation that started last year, Japan intends to steadily implement the Action Plan for EU-Japan Cooperation on which the leaders of Japan and the EU agreed, with a view to deepening collaboration on the basis of strategic partnership between Japan and the EU.
Japan strongly hopes that the enlargement of the EU will be achieved with openness and transparency to the areas outside the region. Japan reiterates its request that the EU and its new member states ensure that Japanese business and Japanese companies operating in Europe, in particular, will not be disadvantaged from the enlargement.

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