Exchange of New Year Congratulatory Messages between Mr. Taro Aso, Prime Minister of Japan, and the Prime Ministers of Austria, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria (the “Japan-Danube Friendship Year 2009” and the Friendship Year between Japan and the Four Countries)

January 13, 2009
Japanese

At the opening of the “Japan-Danube Friendship Year 2009” and the Friendship Year between Japan and Austria, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria, Mr. Taro Aso, Prime Minister of Japan, exchanged New Year congratulatory messages with Mr. Werner Faymann, Prime Minister of Austria, Mr. Ferenc Gyurcsany, Prime Minister of Hungary, Mr. Emil Boc, Prime Minister of Romania, and Mr. Sergei Stanishev, Prime Minister of Bulgaria. In the messages, Mr. Aso and the Prime Ministers mutually confirmed their determination to further strengthen the friendly relationship between Japan and each of the four countries.
A variety of commemorative events and exchanges of people are scheduled throughout the Friendship Year between Japan and the four countries, which have traditionally enjoyed a friendly relationship. Through these events, Japan and these countries are expected to further expand and deepen mutual understanding and exchanges between Japan and these countries.
It is expected that the exchange of the messages will promote the launching of the Friendship Year to the people of Japan and the four countries, and promote a wide range of participation and cooperation in related events, leading to an even closer relationship between Japan and the four countries.

(END)