Koizumi held news conference on G8 summit
July 17
Speaking at a news conference on the G8 summit in Strelna on Monday, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi called on North Korea to return to the six-party negotiations.
He considers important the adoption of a UN Security Council resolution on North Korean missile launches. Spokesmen for North Korea did not expect such a unanimous decision, which was backed by China and Russia. The Japanese Prime Minister described the resolution as a serious step, which North Korea will have to reckon with. He observed that return to the negotiating table would benefit North Korea and enhance its security.
Junichiro Koizumi expressed the hope that Japan, Palestine, and Israel will conduct high-level government meetings. It is important for us to discuss cooperation and exchange opinion on specific problems, he said. He recalled that he visited Jordan, Palestine, and Israel on the eve of the G8 summit.
We are very interested in this region, and want to help create conditions for normal life there, for peaceful and prosperous co-existence of Israel and the Palestinian National Authority.
The Japanese Prime Minister believes that as the host of the G8 summit, Vladimir Putin has displayed outstanding qualities of a leader. He expressed his deep respect to the Russian leader. Koizumi thanked the Russian people for hospitality, and expressed his admiration of St. Petersburg's landscapes. He added that he was carried away by the beautiful sunset over the gulf when they finished working yesterday at around 11 p.m.