Press Conference, 23 June 2006

Prime Minister Maliki of Iraq expresses gratitude for the activities of the Self-Defense Forces
Yen loan to China for FY2005
Grant aid to the Republic of Mali

I. Prime Minister Maliki of Iraq expresses gratitude for the activities of the Self-Defense Forces

Deputy Press Secretary Tomohiko Taniguchi: The items that I wanted to announce for today's press conference are as follows.

Firstly, in response to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's statement on 20 June, Prime Minister Jawad al-Maliki of Iraq sent a statement to the Japanese Embassy in Iraq. The gist of the statement is already uploaded on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It would be appreciated if members of the Press corps could take a look at it.

Related Information (Press Release)

II. Yen loan to China for FY2005

Mr. Taniguchi: Secondly, on Friday, 23 June, the exchange of notes took place between Mr. Yuji Miyamoto, the Japanese Ambassador stationed in the People's Republic of China, and His Excellency Mr. Wu Dawei, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, about the new yen loan the Government of Japan is going to provide to China for FY2005.

The projects include those helping Chinese regional authorities to improve water purification and other water-related facilities, plant trees, and educate people with an emphasis on the Japanese language.

The interest rate, a fixed one, is as always a low one of 0.75% for most of these projects.

III. Grant aid to the Republic of Mali

Mr. Taniguchi: The last item is about a grant aid to the Republic of Mali for the Project for Construction of Primary Schools. The amount is up to 809 million yen.

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