Top > Regional Affairs > Asia > Philippines > Visit to Japan of Her Excellency Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Republic of the Philippines, and Mr. Jose Miguel Tuason Arroyo > Japan-Philippines Summit Meeting (Outline)

Japan-Philippines Summit Meeting
(Outline)

The Japan-Philippines Summit Meeting was held on the afternoon of 4 December. The outline of the meeting is as follows.

Following the meeting, the "Joint Statement on the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership" and the "Support Package for Peace and Stability in Mindanao" were announced. In addition, with the participation of the two leaders, a signing ceremony for the exchanges of notes concerning the special yen loan program, "Metro Manila Fire Protection Enhancement Project," and Sector Program Grant Aid was held.

1. Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the Republic of the Philippines requested that Japan accept Filipino nurses and healthcare workers to promote the movement of people through economic partnership, and welcomed the agreement on the Joint Statement. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi stated his intention to accelerate work to expeditiously commence the next stage for the realization of the JPEP.

2. Investment Environment in the Philippines

Prime Minister Koizumi, explaining that the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) was considering the possible dispatch of a mission to Southeast Asia in countries including the Philippines, requested that the Philippines continue to make a positive response in improving its investment environment.

3. Official Development Assistance (ODA)

President Arroyo expressed her gratitude for Japan's economic cooperation, and in particular, its support for the Mindanao region. Prime Minister Koizumi welcomed Philippine's effective utilization of ODA, stating that under the severe fiscal circumstances, Japan would extend its possible support as far as it is truly necessary.

4. Support for Mindanao

Prime Minister Koizumi stated that, noting the importance of the consolidation of peace and development in Mindanao to the stability of Asia as a whole, the "Support Package for Peace and Stability in Mindanao" had been formulated to support the Arroyo Administration in both its fight against terrorism and its fight against poverty. Prime Minister Koizumi also noted that with the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Social Fund for Peace and Development (2.5 billion yen) and the Sector Program Grant Aid Cooperation (1.5 billion yen) that were announced on this occasion, support for Mindanao now amounted to approximately 44 billion yen.

5. Terrorism and Piracy Countermeasures

President Arroyo stressed the importance of ensuring the security of marine traffic, citing Japan's important role in the fight against terrorism and the fact that the Al-Qaeda threat exists in the Asian region. In addition, the President expressed her hope that Japan would provide multipurpose ships to the Philippine Coast Guard. In response, Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his hope that the cooperation between the two coast guard agencies would be strengthened.

6. Year of Japan-ASEAN Exchange 2003

Prime Minister Koizumi stated that in the Exchange Year 2003, the Philippines were taking on the important role of first key coordinator country (February) among ASEAN countries, and expressed his hope that the Philippines would make active efforts to ensure the success of the Exchange Year programs.

7. EXPO 2005 Aichi

Prime Minister Koizumi again requested the participation of the Philippines in Expo 2005 Aichi. In response, President Arroyo stated that she was very keen to take part, but that under the severe fiscal conditions, her hope was that Japan would provide support.

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