However, we shared the view that political leadership is essential for resolving outstanding issues and unanimously decided to make use of every bilateral and multilateral occasion to continue our dialogue with each other to this end. Our common goal is to make the Kyoto Protocol ratifiable and then have it enter into force by the year 2002. It is crucial to keep the momentum we have built toward our goal. I believe that Minister Pronk, as COP6 President, will continue to exercise his strong leadership to this end. In The Hague, ministers from the Umbrella Group and the EU almost reached agreement on a package of some key issues early in the morning of 25 November.
Japan looks forward to continuing discussion on that basis.
Japan is determined to continue its intensive dialogue with other Parties with flexibility, and spare no effort to reach agreement on a package at resumed negotiations. Japan strongly urges other Parties to do likewise. That was the statement made by Minister of State Kawaguchi earlier today. The task entrusted upon the Round Table was to come up with a recommendation, which the Government of Japan would take note of for reference as it draws up during this fiscal year the Country Assistance Program of the People's Republic of China. We have started to take this Country Assistance Program approach for individual countries.