French Minister of Foreign Affairs Lectures at Kyushu University On March 1, 2004, Kyushu University and the Institut Franco-Japonais du Kyushu (Institute France Japan in Kyushu) co-hosted a lecture entitled “France-Japan cooperation --- confronted by new international threats.” Under the theme, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dominique de Villepin, who was visiting Japan for the first time, delivered the lecture. The university awarded him an honorary doctorate for his speech as well as the French government’s long-standing assistance and understanding in fostering vigorous exchange between France and Kyushu University. Vice-president Nakano (Left) Lecture and Q&A Outline In a speech given at Kyushu University in 1924, Paul Claudel* mentioned that Kyushu University would develop further and Fukuoka would become a place of importance for France. He was absolutely right in these two predictions. Japan and France, which share values, pursue peace and democracy by collaborating in fields such as the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, establishing new anti-terrorism measures and the reconstruction of Iraq. We can establish common rules and figure out solutions to these problems by respecting the rules and values of different countries and through cooperation. I believe that Japan will play a unique role in promoting dialogues between countries, while Japan and France will be indispensable in dealing with various issues including international politics and environment. The situation in Iraq is a most difficult diplomatic issue. Despite the fact that the United Nations member countries were in agreement with the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, opinions on the use of armed force were divided. The French government takes the position that the sovereign right of the Iraqi people should be respected in order to better foster the reconstruction of the country. I visited Fukuoka because it has historically served as a gateway to the world and is a well-developed locality that aptly represents the current state of Japan. I also followed the advice of President Jacques Chirac, one of my colleagues, “If you wish to open the doors of Japan, make the first step in Fukuoka because foreign culture has always been introduced in the western part of the country then spread throughout the nation.” (applause) *Paul Claudel: French poet, playwright, and diplomat who assumed duties as Ambassador to Japan; visited Kyushu Imperial University (the present Kyushu University) and Fukuoka High School under the pre-war educational system during his journey to Kyushu in November 1924. Close Ties between Kyushu University and France Kyushu University concluded its first agreement for academic cooperation at the university level with Bordeaux Universities, France, in February 4, 1981, which accelerated the establishment of such cooperation with other French universities. Some joint studies have been carried out as part of the exchange activities at the researcher level, whereas initially sporadic exchange at the student level has turned into annual student exchange programs including language training. Ties at the faculty level are also strengthened every year under agreements signed with the Grenoble and Strasburg Consortiums. In addition, three to four graduate school students per year are chosen as scholarship students by the Renault Foundation to participate in its educational programs. In the past, the Kyushu University President made a speech at the “France-Japan Symposium on Higher Education” held in Tokyo (1998), Strasbourg (2001) and Kyoto (2003).