PRESIDENT OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY VISITS JAPAN FROM 22 TO 27 FEBRUARY

1 March 1999

Press Release
GA/SM/85

PRESIDENT OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY VISITS JAPAN FROM 22 TO 27 FEBRUARY

19990301 At the invitation of the Government of Japan, the President of the fifty-third session of the General Assembly, Didier Opertti (Uruguay) visited Japan on an official visit from 22 to 27 February. During his stay, he met with the Prime Minister of Japan, Keizo Obuchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Masahiko Koumura and the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Nobutaka Machimura.

He also received the members of the Parliamentary Commission for the United Nations of the Japanese Parliament, composed of the representatives of all political parties represented in the Parliament, and met separately with the legislators belonging to the working group on the United Nations of the Liberal Democratic Party.

During his visit, the President also held a long meeting with the ambassadors of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean accredited to Japan, with whom he reviewed the process of reform of the Security Council and related foreign policy issues.

He also visited the United Nations University and met with the Rector, Vice-Rector and with the Professors.

During the talks, the representatives of the Japanese Government focused their attention on the issues relating to the United Nations and, in particular, the reform of the Security Council. The President of the General Assembly informed the Japanese authorities of the status of negotiations and his vision of the need to reach a political agreement among Member States which would allow the redefinition of the role of the Security Council and its relationship to the General Assembly, as well as an increase in the membership of the Council to reflect the political and economic changes in the international arena over the course of the last few decades. Other themes touched upon in the discussions were the preparations for the Millenium Assembly and the objectives of the open-ended working group on the financing for development.

All the meetings and contacts during the President's visit were held in the atmosphere of cordiality and were characterized by a frank and constructive dialogue. The Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, Yukio Satoh, also took part in all discussions. * *** *