Japanese PM to leave for G8 summit in Italy

• Source: Xinhua
• [17:51 July 06 2009]
• Comments

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso will leave later Monday for Italy to attend the Group of Eight summit and discuss issues ranging from the financial crisis to climate change.

Aso is expected to discuss African development and reaffirm the implementation of a UN Security Council resolution adopted in June to impose sanctions on Pyongyang after it conducted a nuclear test on May 25, according to Foreign Ministry sources.

He will also reaffirm the commitments on the rejection of protectionism and on the early completion of the WTO Doha Round, and talk with his counterparts on green economy and global warming.

Among other issues are Iran's post-election turmoil, development, and food and water security in Africa and other developing nations, according to the officials.

Aso is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with his Italian and Russian counterparts, while hoping to have separate talks with other leaders including US President Barack Obama.

In meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, the northern territory row is likely to be touched upon, against the backdrop that the Japanese parliament passed a law on Friday claiming the sovereignty of Russian-held islands off Hokkaido, the foreign ministry officials said.