Mr. Ichiro Komatsu, Director-General of the European Affairs Bureau of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was the guest of honour at the concluding monthly EU luncheon held at the Residence of the Greek Ambassador on the 18th of June, a few days before the official termination of the current EU Presidency.  

A whole range of issues of international importance as well as linked with the Japan's policies on Asian and world developments was raised and discussed between Mr. Komatsu and the EU Ambassadors over the luncheon. Furthermore, the ever increasing EU-Japanese multifaceted relations were obviously touched upon especially following the generally recognized as successful recent EU-Japan Summit held in Athens (1st - 2nd of May 2003).

Issues also on the European Union's future in view of the tomorrow's EU-Thessaloniki Summit (20-21 June) and recent landmark developments such as the enlargement and adoption of a draft EU Constitution were also topics dealt at the luncheon.

Ambassador of Greece K. Rodoussakis took the opportunity to express to the Director- General Mr. Komatsu the Greek Presidency's sincere thanks for the close and very productive cooperation entertained between the Japanese Foreign Ministry officials and the Presidency during the semester of the current Presidency and in preparing the Athens EU-Japan Summit. Warm thanks were also extended to all the EU Ambassadors as well as to the Ambassadors of acceding and candidate countries attending the luncheon, too.

The Director-General Mr. Komatsu toasting the luncheon, in his turn, welcomed the progress achieved in the EU unification process and praised the results of the EU-Japan Athens Summit. Particular reference was made by Mr. Komatsu to the wide spectrum of cooperation in the framework of the existing EU-Japan Action Plan. Common effort should continue, according to Mr. Komatsu, for the implementation of the Action Plan. We should work, Mr. Komatsu added also, for the resuming of the meetings on Foreign Ministers level. West Balkan issue was raised, according to the Director-General, at the Koizumi - Simitis meeting in Athens. The Japanese Prime Minister showed keen interest in the development of that area and its integration in Europe.

Furthermore, the Italian Ambassador Mario Bova assured over the luncheon that the upcoming Italian EU Presidency shall spare no effort in promoting EU integration process and EU-Japan relations.

Text-photo: Embassy of Greece in Japan