Visit to Japan of His Excellency Dr. Gustavo Noboa Bejarano,
President of the Republic of Ecuador
(Overview and Evaluation)
March 2002
From 27 to 30 March, 2002, President Dr. Gustavo Noboa Bejarano of the Republic of Ecuador paid a visit to Japan, together with four ministers of state, in response to an invitation from the Government of Japan. The following is an overview and evaluation of the visit. President Noboa's visit to Japan was made as a part of his visits to Asia (the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea).
(1) Summit Meeting
- Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi expressed his respect for the reform efforts made by President Noboa and stated that he would like to examine what kind of assistance Japan could provide to Ecuador, so that the later, as a stabilizing force, could contribute to the development of the Andean region and, what is more, Latin America as a whole.
- President Noboa expressed his gratitude for the economic cooperation provided by Japan to date. He also stated that he sought to further deepen relations with Asian countries and explained Ecuador's plans for development in the field of petroleum and infrastructure building, to which he expressed his hope for investment from Japan. In addition, President Noboa proposed the establishment of a joint committee that would examine, from a medium and long-term perspective, how the bilateral relations should be.
(2) Talks with members of political and economic circles
- Talks were held with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tamisuke Watanuki, and President of the House of Councillors, Yutaka Inoue. Then, President Noboa attended the dinner hosted by the President of the Japan-Ecuador Parliamentary Friendship League, Kabun Muto, where Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Takeo Hiranuma, and Minister of the Environment Hiroshi Oki were present. They engaged in talks with President Noboa and their counterparts from Ecuador. In addition, a seminar on investment in Ecuador and talks with the members of the Japan National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation were also held.
(3) Additional schedule
- President Noboa made a State Call on Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and was invited to luncheon with Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi. In addition, a commemorative art exhibition and commemorative concert were also held.
2. Evaluation of the Visit
(1) Strengthening bilateral relations through the creation of good personal relations with the dignitaries of various circles
The visit to Japan by the President of Ecuador was the second of such visits, the first being eight years ago, when then President Mr. Duran Ballen visited Japan. The delegation, which included the ministers for foreign affairs, of trade, of public works and of agriculture from Ecuador, contributed to the deepening of friendly relations with prominent members in a wide-range of circles, such as political and business ones, and represented the first step in promoting such face-to-face relations.
(2) Confirmation of maintaining efforts for structural reform
Appreciating Ecuador's reform efforts, Prime Minister Koizumi stated that he intended to continue to provide support to the various efforts being made by President Noboa. In addition, President Noboa expressed his gratitude for Japan's support and stated that Ecuador's reforms, such as dollarization, were now an irreversible process.
(3) Contribution to regional stability
Prime Minister Koizumi stated that the stability of Ecuador was important for the stability of the Andean and, what is more, Latin American regions as a whole, and that Japan would continue to provide support. President Noboa expressed the hope that Ecuador could be a strategic point for Japan in Latin America.
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