Japan-Ukraine Summit Meeting

January 18, 2011
Japanese

(Photos: Cabinet Public Relations Office)

On January 18 (Tue), from 6:00 to around 8:50 p.m., Prime Minister Naoto Kan held a summit meeting and a dinner with H.E. Mr. Viktor Yanukovych, President of Ukraine, who was visiting Japan on an official working visit. The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations with a focus on strengthening economic ties, as well as on cooperation on global issues, and international affairs. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

After the meeting, the two leaders signed the Joint Statement on Japan-Ukraine Global Partnership. In the presence of both leaders, a bank loan agreement was also signed between the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and the Joint Stock Company State Export-Import Bank of Ukraine.

Bilateral Relations

(1) Prime Minister Kan stated that there was large potential for cooperation with Ukraine, a friendly country in a geopolitically important location between the European Union (EU) and Russia, and that he expects Ukraine to continue its development path as a democratic country. President Yanukovych, touching upon the stability of Ukraine’s political situation explained that Ukraine was pushing forward with structural reforms and modernization with the assistance of the IMF, and that infrastructure has been developed in preparation for the UEFA European Cup in 2012, where he expected the participation of Japanese companies. Moreover, President Yanukovych said that he would like to take the opportunity of his visit to Japan to elevate the bilateral relations to a new level, as the people of Ukraine holds deep respect to Japan, and both countries share a commitment to democracy and the pursuit of peaceful diplomacy.

(2) With a view to strengthening economic relations, the two leaders shared views to bolster the economic relationship between the two countries by utilizing various tools, including the launch of negotiations on the conclusion of an investment agreement, and improving the investment environment of Ukraine. In this connection, Prime Minister Kan expressed his readiness to cooperate with Ukraine by offering to send a Japanese investment expert to Ukraine, for which President Yanukovych expressed appreciation. President Yanukovych stated that improvements would be made to facilitate smooth activities of the expert, and explained the tax reform in Ukraine to attract investments.

(3) Prime Minister Kan said that Japan would promote agricultural investment and share knowledge and technologies related to agricultural production and transport with Ukraine, which possesses fertile chernozem belts. This was welcomed by President Yanukovych.

(4) The two leaders agreed to make full use of frameworks for dialogue and cooperation between the two countries, including the Japan-Ukraine Cooperation Committee at the Foreign Ministers’ level, and to deepen cooperation in a wide range of areas, including the economy, science and technology, and cultural exchange.
Cooperation on Global Issues

(1) Prime Minister Kan stated that Japan, as a country that has suffered the devastation of atomic bombings, highly appreciated the removal from Ukraine of a substantial part of highly enriched uranium at the end of last year. President Yanukovych expressed gratitude and appreciation on behalf of the people of Ukraine for the assistance provided by Japan in relation to the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident. The two leaders agreed to cooperate on, including through the sharing of knowledge by Japan as a country that has suffered from atomic bombings.

(2) In addition, the two sides exchanged views on international situation and other issues.

Joint Statement on Japan-Ukraine Global Partnership

(END)

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