Japan-Georgia Foreign Ministers' Meeting

July 20, 2012
Japanese

(Photo)Japan-Georgia Foreign Ministers' Meeting-2

On Friday, July 20, commencing at 5:45 p.m. for around 30 minutes, Mr. Koichiro Gemba, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Grigol Vashadze, Foreign Minister of Georgia, who is visiting Japan. An overview of the meeting is as follows:

Bilateral relations – general
(1) Minister Gemba welcomed Minister Vashadze to Japan, and noted that this year will mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Georgia, and that he hopes to use this as an opportunity for further development. Additionally, Minister Gemba said Japan will cooperate with the reform efforts of Georgia, which has sought to establish a democracy and a market economy. He also said that he expects the recent establishment of the Japan-Georgia Parliamentary Friendship League to serve as an opportunity to advance parliamentary exchanges between the two countries.

(2) In response, Minister Vashadze expressed gratitude for Japan's consistent support of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, along with saying that he would like to use the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to further advance bilateral relations. Minister Vashadze also said that moving ahead with parliamentary exchanges will deepen the relationship between the two countries.
Economic cooperation
(1) Minister Gemba noted that the East-West Highway Improvement Project, which is being supported by Japan, is moving steadily forward, and asked for Georgia's cooperation toward carrying out the project smoothly.

(2) In response, Minister Vashadze expressed gratitude for Japan's support of the East-West Highway Improvement Project, and said he expects that Japan will continue to cooperate.
"GUAM-Japan"
(1) Minister Gemba pointed out that the "GUAM-Japan" framework matches Japan's fundamental stance on international cooperation to support self-help efforts and said that he would like to continue the cooperation with "GUAM-Japan".

(2) In response, Minister Vashadze said the framework of the "GUAM-Japan" dialogue is robust, and that he hopes to see cooperation progress in tourism and energy sectors in particular.
Regional affairs
(1) Minister Gemba pointed out that the stability and development of the South Caucasus region, which is a transportation corridor for energy resources, is important for stabilizing the international energy market, and expressed expectations toward Georgia's contribution to the peace and stability of the region.

(2) Minister Vashadze replied that he would like to make the South Caucasus region a place of stability and cooperation.

[Reference 1]
Yen loan "East-West Highway Improvement Project"
(up to 17.722 billion yen, signed in December 2009 E/N basis)

Improvement plan of the part of the East-West Highway (39.6km) which runs from the vicinity of the border with Azerbaijan to the Black Sea. Launching ceremony of the highway construction was held in February 2012.

[Reference 2]
GUAM – Organization for Democracy and Economic Development

Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova participate in the organization (GUAM is made by combining the initials of each participating country). GUAM was founded in October 1997 and was later reorganized as "GUAM – Organization for Democracy and Economic Development" at a summit meeting held in May 2006.

(*The foregoing is a provisional translation. The date indicated above denotes the date of issue of the original press release in Japanese.)

(END)

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