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Junichiro Koizumi: I was uneasy a bit today because of the weather—but the weather was fine. We even saw a rainbow. So I am very glad the galas were a success.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much, Mr Prime Minister, for finding an opportunity to be here with us today. We greatly appreciate it.

Today, we are remembering World War II victims and sacrifices. We recollect the victory over Nazism. And it matters tremendously to us that the Prime Minister of Japan – our neighbor country and long-established partner – is present at Moscow galas today.

As our talk is starting, I should like, Mr Prime Minister, to express heartfelt condolence with the recent railroad accident in Japan, in which a hundred perished. That was a tremendous tragedy.

I am glad to see our contacts making dynamic progress. The trade turnover is assuredly coming close to a nine billion dollar mark.

We are very glad to see you, Mr Prime Minister.

Junichiro Koizumi: I have just met Mr Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

If we are to look back at the past, Japan and Germany were the vanquished countries. But sixty years have passed, and brought major changes. That is the opinion we shared. Mr. Chancellor and I had the chance to meet here in Moscow. That means the previous confrontation has evolved into friendship, and we highly appreciate it.

We had a commemorative ceremony in Japan last month – in the town of Shimoda, where our diplomatic relations were established 150 years ago. Your humble servant was taking part in that ceremony.