Moscow Hopes For Cooperation With Japan's New Liberal Democratic Leaders

Moscow hopes for cooperation with the new leadership of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party headed by Junichiro Koizumi, reported the Russian Foreign Ministry as it was commenting on Koizumi's election as chairman of the Japanese ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The Russian side values its recent constructive cooperation with the Japanese government, with a key role played by the Liberal Democratic Party. Spokesmen for the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed that that cooperation had borne fruit on its way toward partnership, which, Moscow believes, meets the national interests of both countries. The spokesmen added that Moscow paid much attention to the election of Koizumi as chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party and that it continues "to carefully analyse political processes currently underway in Japan." In the next two or three days, the Japanese parliament will elect prime minister. Thus, thanks to the strong position of the Liberal Democratic Party in the Japanese legislature, Junichiro Koizumi, 59, will combine his LDP chairmanship with the prime ministerial duties. He will succeed Yoshiro Mori as Prime Minister of Japan.

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