2 April 2001

Mr. Holkeri, who arrived Japan yesterday, met this afternoon with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori in Tokyo. During their meeting the Prime Minister expressed his strong desire to make the Security Council reform realized and ensured Japan's support to Mr. Holkeri's efforts in the reform process. The President noted that after seven years of discussions and given the Millennium Summit impetus to the over all reform within the UN there are high expectations amongst the Member States to move forward on this issue. Mr. Holkeri assured that he would do his utmost to move the process forward. He stressed that the capitals need to be involved in the discussions since the final decisions concerning the reform of the Security Council will ultimately have to be made at the highest political level. Discussions also touched upon Africa and the importance to focus on the human security in tackling the challenges of development and peace.

Mr. Holkeri later met with Japan's Foreign Minister, Yohei Kono. Their discussions covered many UN related issues. Among issues discussed were the situation in the Middle East, the Year of Dialogue among Civilizations and HIV/AIDS. Disappointment was expressed on both sides on recent developments concerning the Kyoto Protocol, but hopes were raised for a political solution on the issue.