GMA lauds Koizumi win

President Arroyo congratulated yesterday Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi for his victory in a party presidential election, saying she looked forward to continued cooperation with him.

"We congratulate Prime Minister Koizumi for winning a renewed mandate to lead Japan," Mrs. Arroyo said in a statement. "Prime Minister Koizumi is a friend and partner of the Philippines. We look forward to continuously working with him in pushing for the peace, security and development of our region."

Mrs. Arroyo noted that Japan was the largest source of official aid to the Philippines as well as its second largest trading partner. — AFP