Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi
to Attend the ASEM Ministerial Meeting and
to Visit Bosnia and Herzegovina

March 31, 1998

1. Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi will visit the United Kingdom from April 2 (Thu.) to 3 (Fri.) to attend the ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) Ministerial Meeting. He will also visit Bosnia and Herzegovina on April 4 (Sat.).
   
   
2. (a) During his stay in the U.K., Mr. Obuchi will attend the meeting and freely exchange views with other Foreign Ministers and other officials on such issues as the economic and financial situation in Asia, and international and regional issues. He will also have bilateral talks with his counterparts, taking advantage of this opportunity.
   
   (b) Expected participants in this meeting are foreign ministers and other officials from the 25 ASEM member countries and one organization; the Asian side by the seven member countries of ASEAN, China, the R.O.K. and Japan, and the European side by the 15 member countries of the European Union, and the European Commission.
   
   
3. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Obuchi will have talks with key persons of the country to press for their further efforts towards peace implementation. He will also inspect mine clearance sites and refugee centers and exchange views with people concerned on Japan's future cooperation.