Japan, N. Korea set to agree on 3 groups in bilateral talks: Aso
December 21, 2005Japan and North Korea are set to reach a basic agreement in upcoming bilateral talks to resume stalled talks to normalize ties and handle in parallel the other contentious issues of North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals and its nuclear ambitions, Foreign Minister Taro Aso indicated Thursday. ''We made the proposal on the condition that it will be accepted, so given that they said (bilateral talks) will be held, it is common sense to think that the three working groups will be set up,'' Aso said at a news conference following a Cabinet meeting.
Kansai leaders urge state to hold 2008 G-8 summit in their region
December 21, 2005Leaders in the Kansai region surrounding Osaka urged Cabinet ministers in Tokyo on Wednesday to hold the 2008 Group of Eight summit somewhere in their region, a regional business lobby said. Those who made the call during talks with Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Taro Aso were Yoshihisa Akiyama, chairman of the Kansai Economic Federation, and governors of Kyoto, Osaka and Hyogo prefectures, the federation said.
Pakistan, India agree to begin new bus services
December 21, 2005India and Pakistan agreed Wednesday to start new bus services between the two countries, local television reported. Officials of the two countries reached the accord in their two-day talks in Lahore, which ended Wednesday, the private GEO TV reported.
Putin to visit China in March for 'Year of Russia'
December 21, 2005Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit Beijing in March to kick off the Year of Russia in China, Chinese and Russian media said Wednesday. His visit will be the first of 250 events in 2006 designed to promote trade, cross-cultural awareness and political ties. In 2007, China will do the same in Russia.