Koizumi visit injects fresh energy into Turkey-Japan ties

Already friendly relations between geographically distant Turkey and Japan received a fresh boost when Japanese Prime Minister Jonichiro Koizumi paid a four-day visit to Ankara and Istanbul for talks on economic and political cooperation.

A warm, relaxed atmosphere characterized the Japanese prime minister's trip and talks in Turkey, covering a number of issues ranging from cooperation in the Middle East and Iraq to Japanese investment in Turkey and plans to help Turkey fight the spreading bird flu virus.

Koizumi is the second Japanese prime minister to visit Turkey and the first in 15 years.

Read the whole story on Turkish Daily News

See also:

• Erdogan warns Koizumi about pro-PKK refugees (The New Anatolian)
• French FM to visit Turkey to boost economic relations (The New Anatolian)
• Busy week for diplomats in Ankara next week (The New Anatolian)
• Merkel to visit Greek Cyprus before Turkey (The New Anatolian)