Highlights of the Greek Prime Minister’s visit to Japan (November 10 – 13, 2005)

The Greek Prime Minister’s visit to Tokyo (November 10 -13) was, as generally acknowledged, an exceptional success in every aspect.

 Although formally a working visit (usually involving only half an hour meeting between the two Prime Ministers), it was a definitely upgraded level. The existing excellent climate in the bilateral relations combined with the gallant treatment offered by the Japanese Government and Japanese people (as reflected in the keen interest of the Japanese media in Mr. Karamanlis’ visit) gave particular importance and splendour to the Greek Prime Minister’s visit to Tokyo.

 Audience by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan

 Mr. and Mrs. Karamanlis were received in audience at the Imperial Palace by Their Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, in the morning of the 11^th of November, just a few days before Princess Sayako’s wedding ceremony. Mr. and Mrs. Karamanlis seized the opportunity to express their personal heartfelt wishes and convey the wishes of the Greek people for the Princess’s imminent wedding. During the audience the Prime Minister and Mrs. Karamanlis were also delighted to exchange views with Their Majesties on the two peoples’ ancient history, as well as the cultural and overall exchanges between the two countries. They also touched upon issues concerning the protection of the environment and respective international efforts based on the principles of the Kyoto Protocol (1997). The Emperor of Japan also congratulated the Greek Prime Minister on the success of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Mr. Karamanlis, in his turn, thanked for the presence of Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi at the Athens Olympic Games, as official representatives of Japan and of the Emperor and offered his congratulations on the Japanese Olympic team’s stunning success and the record number of medals awarded.

 Summit meeting – Dinner and Joint Conference with Mr. Koizumi

During the meeting with Prime Minister Koizumi and over dinner, offered in the presence of Greek Vice-Minister  Ev. Stylianides and his Japanese counterpart Y. Shiozaki and other high-ranking officials from the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the same cordial and very friendly spirit prevailed.

 Reviewing all the aspects of the bilateral cooperation based on the existing 2002 Action Plan, Mr. Koizumi and Mr. Karamanlis reconfirmed the fruitful and intensive bilateral multifaceted cooperation on all fronts: Diplomatic, political, economic, cultural, scientific and so on. They commended bilateral cooperation in the framework of International Organizations, especially in the context of the UN, as the two countries are currently serving as non-permanent UNSC members for 2005 - 2006.

 Mr. Koizumi thanked for Greece’s support to Japan’s candidature for a UNSC permanent seat, as well as for Greece’s cosponsoring the Resolution for the reform of the UN. The two Prime Ministers agreed on the establishment of bilateral political consultations based on the Action Plan on issues of mutual interest between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs at High Officials level. More particularly they also agreed that the two countries continue their consultations and enhance cooperation for the promotion of peace, stability and the economic reconstruction of the Western Balkan countries. On bilateral economic and trade relations, the two Prime Ministers referred to existing opportunities for the further promotion of bilateral trade, investments, shipping and tourism. Finally, Mr. Koizumi and Mr. Karamanlis exchanged views on their respective Governments’ reform and privatization programs. The Greek Prime Minister emphasized Greece’s effort to place Greek agricultural products (especially Greek olive oil and wine), in the Japanese food market, as these products especially suit the Japanese people’s healthy diet. It is worth noting that Mr. Karamanlis offered as presents to the Emperor and the Japanese Prime Minister golden replicas of ancient myrtle wreaths, as well as a specially arranged case of Greek olive oil products.

 Greece’s strategic position as a hub for Japanese companies operating in the neighbouring countries, as well as headquarters for joint ventures in the Balkan area was also discussed.

 The leading position of Greece and Japan in shipping was raised as well, reconfirming the traditionally significant presence of Greek shipowners in the Japanese shipping, shipbuilding industry and transport sectors.

 The two Prime Ministers also discussed the promotion and strengthening of bilateral cultural ties and academic exchanges. The numerous cultural events held in both countries on the occasion of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games are a solid basis for the continuation of mutual cultural exchanges.

All the abovementioned items were reiterated by the two Prime Ministers Mr. Koizumi and Mr. Karamanlis during their joint Conference following the conclusion of the talks.

 Meeting with the Speaker of the Lower House Mr. Y. Kono

 In his meeting with the Speaker of the Lower House of the Japanese Diet, Prime Minister Karamanlis thanked Mr. Yohei Kono for the honour he bestowed upon Greece by assuming the Chairmanship of the Japan – Greece Parliamentarian League of Friendship. Mr. Karamanlis and Mr. Kono discussed bilateral relations (including ways to further strengthen and enhance the two countries’ ties) and cooperation, as well as international issues of mutual interest. Mr. Kono expressed his wish and intention to visit Greece. Mr. Karamanlis said that Mr. Kono is expected and would be welcomed in Greece after the recent visit to Japan of the President of the Greek Parliament Ms. Anna Psarouda Benaki (June, 2005).

 Luncheon at the Keidanren premises

On the occasion of a luncheon offered on the other hand by KEIDANREN (Japanese Business Federation) in honour of Mr. K. Karamanlis, the Greek Prime Minister presented the favorable economic, business and legislative environment prevailing in Greece at present. He invited the Japanese business community to join forces with their Greek counterparts for joint business projects in the Balkan, Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea area. As mentioned by the Greek Prime Minister, more than 3500 Greek companies are operating within the markets of the above countries, having accumulated precious know-how and expertise on the development programmess and needs of the area. He also presented the privatization programme pursued by the Greek Government and the new legal scheme of public / private partnerships. He focused on the construction and energy sectors, in particular wind energy parks, i.e. energy-producing areas, of particular interest to Japanese companies, which have already submitted project plans worth about 300 million euros. Mr. Karamanlis also referred to the gas and oil pipelines network linking Europe with gas and oil producing countries, such as Russia and countries of the Caucasus and the Middle East, through Greek territory.

 The two sides also agreed to explore the potential for using the ports of Piraeus and Thessaloniki as entry points for Japanese products to the European and Balkan markets.  The Chairmen and Presidents of the most prestigious Greek business associations (such as Chambers of Commerce, Associations of the Greek Industries and Greek Shipowners Union, Greek  - Japanese Chamber of Commerce) attended the Keidanren luncheon.

 Mr. Odysseus Kyriakopoulos, the Chairman of the Federation of Greek Industries (who had hosted a luncheon for members of Keidanren on a mission to Athens, headed by the Vice-Chairman, Mr. H. Yonekura on the 5^th of September, 2005) also addressed the participants, introducing the Greek Prime Minister, Mr. Karamanlis, to the members of Keidanren.

 Mr. H. Yonekura, Vice Chairman of Keidanren and Chairman of the Keidanren Committee on Europe, on the other hand, in his welcoming address at the luncheon, said that September’s Keidanren trip to Athens was very encouraging and informative on Greece’s strategy and plans for the whole region. According to Mr. Yonekura, Keidanren became aware of Greece’s strong support for EU enlargement towards South Eastern Europe and its decisive role in the area. He also said that Keidanren members would appreciate very much to hear about Greek Government’s policies on investment and business from the Greek Prime Minister himself.

 During the discussion which followed, genuine interest was shown by attending Chairmen and high-level executives of leading Japanese corporations, who focused their business interest on the establishment of direct air flights between Athens and Tokyo, energy, renewable resources, cellular phone distribution, tourism and so on. The Chairmen and executives present were representing corporations such as: Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd., All Nippon Airways Co. Ltd., Nomura Securities Co., Ltd., NEC Corporation Co., Ltd., Toshiba Corporation, Japan Airlines International Co., Ltd., Sony Corporation etc.

 Visit to Nikko

 On the third day of his visit (Saturday, November 12, 2005), Mr. Karamanlis, along with the members of the delegation and the accompanying group of journalists visited the historic town of Nikko, with it numerous religious monuments. They were guided by theAbbot of the Shrines and marveled at the unique landscape with the season’s changing colours. Mr. Karamanlis invited all the accompanying Greek journalists to a luncheon after the sightseeing.

 Meeting of Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece, Mr. Evripidis Stylianides with his Japanese counterpart, Senior Vice - Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Yasuhisa Shiozaki

 The Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece, Mr. Ev. Stylianides, who was in the Prime Minister’s suite, also had on the sidelines a very friendly and productive, meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Senior Vice - Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Y. Shiozaki. The two Vice-Ministers discussed in detail specific aspects of bilateral cooperation as well as cooperation between the two Ministries in the framework of International Organizations and on various international issues of mutual interest.

 More particularly, the two Vice Ministers discussed a) the potential use of Greek ports (Piraeus and Thessaloniki) as Ports-of-Entry to Europe for Japanese enterprises, b) the possible opening of negotiations for an Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation, c) upcoming trade missions for the promotion of specific Greek products and their potential to enter the Japanese markets  (olive oil, wines, jewellery, fresh fruit and vegetables, tobacco) with a view to increasing overall trade volume and improving the bilateral trade balance, d) prospects for increased Japanese investments in Greece (following the KEIDANREN mission to Greece last September), as well as investment opportunities in the wider region, including joint ventures between Greek and Japanese enterprises, e) the mutual promotion of tourism and  f) the strengthening  of cultural ties and increase of academic exchanges.

 Keen interest of the Japanese media

As mentioned, the Greek Prime Minister’s visit stirred keen interest in the Japanese media. This was reflected in the evening broadcasting of the Japanese TV channels, which dedicated more than 7 minutes’ TV coverage in the news. An interview by Mr. Karamanlis to NHK encompassing a range of both bilateral and international issues was also broadcasted by the NHK BS1 TV channel on the same day of the interview (evening of Sat., November 12, 2005). Exclusive interviews of the Greek Prime Minister have already been published in the YOMIURI (Japanese and English editions), NIKKEI (Japanese edition) and international political and economic bulletin  DOW JONES, while the KYODO NEWS and the MAINICHI Internet edition gave a substantial account of the Greek Prime Minister’s visit to Tokyo. An account of the summit meeting has been published on the website of the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office .