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Statement by Minister Aso on reappointment of Dr.Mikuriya to the Secretary General of the WCO

June 29, 2013

Statement by Mr. Taro ASO, Minister of Finance, Japan

 

  1. Today, Dr. Kunio MIKURIYA, incumbent Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and Japan’s candidate for a second term, was unanimously reappointed at the annual WCO Council Sessions held in Brussels, Belgium.

  2. Dr. MIKURIYA has demonstrated his outstanding abilities and leadership since assuming the office of Secretary General in 2009. I am convinced that his reappointment resulted from the high appreciation by all WCO members for his significant achievements and capacity as well as the contributions made by Japan to the WCO.

  3. Promotion of international cooperation in the areas of Customs is becoming increasingly important. Under these circumstances, I expect the WCO, with Dr. MIKURIYA’s continued leadership, to steadily fulfill its missions toward harmony and uniformity of Customs systems among WCO member countries and promotion of international cooperation, and to make contributions to the economic growth of Japan and the world through development of global trade. I also expect that Dr. MIKURIYA’s reappointment to the Secretary General will bring further enhancement of Japan’s position in the international community.

  4. Japan will make continued efforts to strengthen the relationship with the WCO and further promote international cooperation in the areas of Customs.