IPU PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY GENERAL VISIT JAPAN
The President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union,Senator Sergio PáezVerdugo,and the IPU Secretary General,Mr. Anders B. Johnsson,were received by the Japanese Prime Minister,Mr. Junichiro Koizumi,during their official visit to Japan,in November 2004. The IPU Presidentinformed the Japanese Prime Minister about the IPU's contribution instrengthening the institutions of emerging democracies and in providingexpertise in rebuilding institutions in Iraq,Afghanistan and the GreatLakes region.

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The visit of the IPU President was mentioned in the11 November 2004 edition of the Kyoto Shimbun. The newspaper stated that: The IPU President Senator Páez, who was officially invited to Japan by the two Presiding Officers of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors, visited some temples in Kyoto, Ryoan-ji, Kinkaku-ji and other locations. The Inter-Parliamentary Union is an international organisation which includes the parliaments of 140countries in the world, and works for the establishment and development of parliamentary democracy. In Ryoan-ji, Senator Páez gazed at the rock garden, Sekitei, and inside the main building of the temple with interest, commenting that "just looking at this garden, I feel very calm. This atmosphere helps me to consider peace and stability in the world".