ATHENS NEWS AGENCY  11/11/2005

http://www.ana.gr/anaweb/

   
    Tokyo (ANA/A. Panagopoulos) -- Greece's prime minister Costas Karamanlis arrived in Tokyo on Thursday, and was due to begin a four-day official visit with meetings on Friday with his host, Japanese counterpart Junichiro Koizumi, and with Emperor Akihito.

    The purpose of Karamanlis' visit is to reaffirm the excellent level of bilateral political relations between the two countries, and to boost Japanese entrepreneuriship in Greece.

    Karamanlis' talks with Koizumi, scheduled for Friday afternoon, will also focus on international issues.

    Athens hopes to advance an action plan agreed between the two countries in March 2002 as well as joint ventures between Japanese and Greek enterprises in the Balkans and the Black Sea.

    The main sectors with potential for further developing bilateral economic cooperation include tourism, shipping, and culture.

    According to official figures, Greek exports to Japan amounted to 100.5 million euros in 2004, while japanese exports to Greece reached 1.06 billion euros.

    The prime minister and his wife Natasha, who is accompanying him, will be received by the Japanese imperial couple, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on Friday morning.

    Later in the day, Karamanlis will attend a working lunch to be hosted in his honour by the Japanese business confederation Keindaren. A Greek business delegation, which is accompanying the premier for the first time, will also attend the working lunch. The delegation includes Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEA) president Drakoulis Foundoukakos, Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) chairman Odysseals Kyriakopoulos, Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBETH) president Dimitris Bakatselos, SEB N. Greece president George Mulonais, Association of Exporters of Northern Greece chairman Evgenios Pilalis, Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) chairman Nikolaos Efthymiou, Hellenic Investments Centre president Yannis Anastasopoulos, Hellenic Exports Promotion Organisation (HEPO) chairman Panagiotis Drosos, Helexpo fair organisers chief Aristotelis Thomopoulos, and other businessmen. He is further accompanied by deputy foreign minister Evrypides Stylianidis, who is responsible for foreign trade, and deputy government spokesman Vangelis Antonaros.

    Karamanlis will further give interviews to major Japanese newspapers and television networks.

    While in Japan, the Greek premier will also meet with the chairperson of the Japanese Diet (bi-cameral parliament), and visit the city of Nikko.