JAPAN-FRANCE BILATERAL SUMMIT BETWEEN PRIME MINISTERS OBUCHI AND JOSPIN

(JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ)
16th December 1999 In Tokyo

   The Prime Minister of Japan, Keizo Obuchi and the Prime Minister of France, Lionel Jospin held a bilateral summit meeting on 16th December 1999. At this meeting, both Prime Ministers renewed their resolution to further develop co-operative relationship between Japan and France which is already in excellent shape, and to jointly tackle various global issues in the new millennium.

   Both Prime Ministers recognised that the next year will offer a great opportunity to further strengthen bilateral co-operation as global partners, with the Japanese Presidency of G8 and the French Presidency of EU scheduled in the latter half of the year. They underlined the importance of ever closer co-operation between Japan and France for the success of important international conferences to be held during this period, such as the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit, the UN Millennium Assembly and ASEM3.

   They discussed a broad range of bilateral issues such as the strengthening of cultural and human exchange, scientific and technological co-operation, economic relations between Japan and France, as well as global issues, including UN reforms, international economy, development co-operation, non-proliferation, and major regional issues. Through their discussion, both Prime Ministers shared the view that the following are examples of the areas in which the further strengthening of Japan-France co-operation could contribute significantly to the stability and prosperity of the world, including those of our own countries:

• Reciprocal investments (annex 1)
• Co-operation in science and technology (annex 2)
• Globalisation for the benefit of all (annex 3)
• Development assistance (annex 4)