Japanese PM on charm offensive in Turkey
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-01-13 10:12

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi wrapped up his tour of Turkey after what was essentially a goodwill visit to a country he called "one of the most friendly nations to Japan."

Koizumi, a self-professed history buff and fan of European culture who arrived in Ankara late Monday, said the two nations had been friends for more than a century and he hoped his visit would enhance the relationship.

The relaxed atmosphere of his trip contrasted sharply with Japan's increasingly soured ties with China and South Korea over its war-time record.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi turns his hand on a wishing stone in the Saint Sophia Mosque Museum in Istanbul.[AFP]

Before Koizumi left for Turkey, some Japanese analysts speculated that he was trying to boost his image by visiting a foreign country where he would be welcome.

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

"Considering the very close bilateral ties, the number of visits to Turkey is too few," Koizumi said, after meeting Tuesday with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Originally, Koizumi planned to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories before coming to Turkey to show support for the Middle East peace process.

But he cancelled that leg of his trip after Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a massive stroke last week.

Koizumi and Erdogan agreed to pursue dialogue on various issues from assistance to Iraq to fighting the bird flu, but announced no concrete measures to deal with them.

The Japanese leader emphasized the geopolitical significance of Turkey, especially its borders with Iran, Iraq and Syria, while maintaining solid ties with the West, Israel and the Palestinians.

He met and thanked a Turkish pilot who flew a plane two decades ago to rescue Japanese nationals trapped in Tehran during the Iran-Iraq war because Japanese airlines had refused to fly there.

"I am extremely happy that I, as the prime minister of Japan, am able to personally thank you," he told Ali Ozdemir during their brief meeting.

He also chatted with residents at a culture center, spoke with Turkish and Japanese business people and took pictures with other tourists he met at the historic mosques and churches he visited.

"I want to promote Turkey once I go home," Koizumi said at the dinner with Erdogan in Ankara.

He leaves for Japan later Thursday.