Aso, Arroyo agree on need to implement U.N. resolution on N. Korea

TOKYO, June 18 Kyodo -
Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and Philippine President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo on Thursday agreed on the need to implement U.N. Security
Council resolutions aimed at punishing North Korea for its missile and nuclear
activities.
In a joint statement issued after the two leaders held talks in Tokyo, they
also agreed to upgrade business ties between the two countries in light of the
bilateral economic partnership agreement that came into force in December 2008.
''We agreed that to further develop Japan-Philippines relations, which entered
a new stage with the EPA coming into effect,'' Aso told a news conference,
while Arroyo said, ''We open a new era of economic relations.''
''By properly managing the Japan-Philippines EPA framework, investment from
Japan will be promoted, leading to creating jobs in the Philippines and
boosting demand in the region,'' Aso said.
Aso and Arroyo decided to promote policy dialogues as part of the two Asian
countries' efforts to ''foster a strategic partnership for the future,'' the
statement said, while Arroyo thanked Japan for its Self-Defense Forces'
antipiracy missions off Somalia which started this year.
It is the first time that leaders of the two countries have held talks since
the EPA took effect. An EPA goes beyond a free trade agreement, which is aimed
mainly at removing tariffs on goods and trade barriers for services, by also
covering intellectual property rights and investment protection rules.
The two also welcomed the start of training in Japan for about 300 Filipino
candidates for nurses and certified care workers -- a project which has started
under provisions of the EPA -- and to cooperate for its smooth implementation,
the joint statement said.
The Philippines is the second country from which Japan has accepted foreign
healthcare workers, following Indonesia.
On North Korea, Aso and Arroyo welcomed a recent U.N. Security Council
resolution adopted in response to North Korea's nuclear test in May and also
expressed condemnation of its missile launch in April.
''We confirmed that the nuclear test by North Korea represents a grave
challenge to global society and that we will cooperate with each other toward
the strict implementation of the U.N. Security Council resolution,'' Aso said
at the press conference.
Arroyo also offered support for Japan's policy of seeking comprehensive
resolutions to the abduction, nuclear and missile issues involving the North,
and stressed the need for diplomatic resolutions, including through the
six-party talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
Regarding the peace process on war-torn Mindanao, Aso told reporters, ''I asked
President Arroyo to respect the ceasefire agreement and resume peace talks as
soon as possible.''
Peace talks between the Philippine government and Muslim separatist rebels
collapsed last August, raising concerns about further armed conflict in the
region.
Arroyo told Aso that she will make utmost efforts to resolve the issue, a
Foreign Ministry official said.
Arroyo also expressed support for Tokyo's bid for a permanent seat on the U.N.
Security Council.
Meanwhile, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said that Japan will provide yen loans
of up to 44.98 billion yen to the Philippines to support its agricultural
credit and its development of logistics infrastructure.
Of the nearly 45 billion yen in loans, 14.6 billion yen will be offered to
create jobs in rural areas and promote investment activities through lending to
farmers' organizations and others. The remaining 30.3 billion yen is for the
infrastructure development.
The loans basically have an interest rate of 1.4 percent per annum and are
repayable over 30 years, including 10 years of deferment.
Prior to the talks with Aso, Arroyo met with Japanese Emperor Akihito and
Empress Michiko at the Imperial Palace. Arroyo, who arrived in Japan on
Wednesday, is visiting the country until Saturday, according to the Japanese
Foreign Ministry.
==Kyodo