Top > Announcement > Press Conference by the Press Secretary of MOFA > 10 May 2012

Press Conference by the Assistant Press Secretary, 10 May 2012

  1. Courtesy Call on Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba by Dr. Bouhan Ghalioun, President of the Syrian National Council
  2. Their Majesties’ Visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  3. Telephone Talks between Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and the President-elect of the French Republic, François Hollande
  4. Visits to Southwest Asia, the Middle East, and Africa by Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba
  5. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s Attendance of the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit Meeting
  6. Question concerning Prime Minister Noda’s visit to Beijing
  7. Questions concerning Dr. Ghalioun’s schedule during his visit to Japan

1. Courtesy Call on Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba by Dr. Bouhan Ghalioun, President of the Syrian National Council

Assistant Press Secretary Mr. Masaru Sato: Good afternoon. Today, I have several announcements at the top.

Mr. Sato: First, at 10:30 today, Foreign Minister Gemba received a courtesy call from Dr. Bouhan Ghalioun, President of the Syrian National Council (SNC), who is visiting Japan at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), for approximately 30 minutes.

Foreign Minister Gemba welcomed Dr. Ghalioun’s visit to Japan, expressed condolences to the fact that there have been many casualties in Syria. The Foreign Minister explained Japan’s stance on the Syrian issue, including implementing economic sanctions against the Syrian regime that have been in place and renewed three times in the past and humanitarian assistance amounting to US$3 million thus far. The Minister stated that it was urgently necessary that the global community give relief to innocent citizens being victimized in an incessant crackdown and violence by the Syrian regime. Despite various efforts made in the global community, including by Kofi Annan, Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the Arab League. The Foreign Minister said that in order to help innocent Syrians achieve peace and stability in their country, Japan expressed its hope for the president to continue to take leadership, and that it would continue to join him in settling the issue in a peaceful manner.

President Ghalioun expressed his gratitude to the assistance provided by the Japanese government, and explained the current Syrian situation and the integrating progress of anti-government forces. The president underlined the importance for the global community to continue to send a unified and strong message and take action against the Syrian Government, and also explained that he would continue his efforts to realize peace and stability in the Middle East region, including Syria.

2. Their Majesties’ Visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Mr. Sato: Second – 8 May, the announcement was made regarding Their Majesties’ visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress will pay an official visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the invitation of Her Majesty, The Queen of the United Kingdom to the event commemorating Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. We are convinced that the two countries’ friendship and goodwill will be reaffirmed, and their existing cordial relations will be further strengthened through interaction between the Imperial and Royal Families on this occasion.

3. Telephone Talks between Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and the President-elect of the French Republic, François Hollande

Mr. Sato: Third - telephone talks between Prime Minister Noda and the President-elect of the French Republic, François Hollande. On Monday, 7 May, for about 10 minutes, from 6:30 pm, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held a telephone talks with the President-elect of the French Republic, François Hollande. Prime Minister Noda congratulated President-elect Hollande on winning the presidential election, and stated that he hoped the two leaders could work together to strengthen renewed Japan-France relations. In response, President-elect Hollande expressed his feelings of gratitude for the remarks, and said that he also hoped to further develop Japan-France relations with Prime Minister Noda.

4. Visits to Southwest Asia, the Middle East, and Africa by Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba

Mr. Sato: Fourth – regarding the visits to Southwest Asia, the Middle East, and Africa by Foreign Minister Gemba. Over the recent holidays, Foreign Minister Gemba went on official trips. With intent to develop new network diplomacy, he visited Southwest Asia, as well as Middle Eastern and African countries, some of which are working toward democratization, along with addressing the Middle East peace process, the issue of Iran and historic changes taking place in the region. He visited six countries and a region over the course of 10 days to feel the vigor of each location. Through various meetings, he says that Japan could deepen its cooperative relations with each country or region.

In Nepal, he held meetings with heads of governments and major political parties. He encouraged them to make further efforts toward the establishment of a constitution, and communicated that Japan would continue to support the first establishment of democracy there.

In India, as an important global strategic partner for Japan, which shares democratic values and has common security positions, he held sixth round of Japan-India Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue, and the first Ministerial-Level Economic Dialogue. In these dialogues, there were discussions on the strengthening of cooperation in the fields of politics and security, which included a talk on setting up dialogue on maritime affairs; on our bilateral economic relationship, including the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Project; and on the issue of rare earth materials, among other matters.

In Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Jordan, and Egypt, he held direct and frank exchanges of opinions with local leaders. In order to make a positive contribution to peace and stability in the region, in each of these meetings, he directly communicated Japan’s position on the Middle East peace issue, the nuclear issue of Iran, and other matters. He also communicated that Japan would continue to support efforts made by Egypt and Jordan toward their reforms.

As the first Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs to visit Morocco in 18 years, he expressed, during his visit to the Kingdom of Morocco, Japan’s support for reform efforts in the country, and shared the view on the start of preparatory talks and investment agreement. In addition, he co-chaired the Fourth TICAD Ministerial Follow-up Meeting in Marrakech.

5. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s Attendance of the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit Meeting

Mr. Sato: Lastly, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s visit to China to attend the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit Meeting. Prime Minister Noda is schedule to visit Beijing from Saturday, 12 May to Monday, 14 May, if circumstances permit to attend the Trilateral Summit Meeting among Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea. At the Summit Meeting, discussions are expected to take place on trilateral cooperation, and regional and global issues.

I am ready to take your questions.

6. Question concerning Prime Minister Noda’s visit to Beijing

Q: I want to know – what does it mean “if circumstances permit”? I am talking about the statement about Noda’s visit to Beijing.

Mr. Sato: We need to obtain understanding from the Diet about Prime Minister’s visit to China. If that condition is met, he will go there.

Q: Okay. So it is not something related – I mean, there is a kind of work-in-progress?

Mr. Sato: No. On the diplomatic front, no. it is a domestic political requirement.

Q: Okay.

7. Questions concerning Dr. Ghalioun’s schedule during his visit to Japan

Q: Just more information about President Ghalioun’s visit to Japan. Do you know any kind of specific topics discussed during this meeting, like the steps to take in trying to address the situation? Do you know what direction Mr. Ghalioun is going in after meeting with Japan?

Mr. Sato: Basically, Foreign Minister Gemba explained Japan’s position regarding the Syrian situation and what actions Japan has been taking, including the sanctions and also the humanitarian assistance to refugees. Also, the contact with the opposition parties, like the SNC. President Ghalioun expressed his appreciation of the Japanese efforts. Basically, this is part of Japan’s initiatives to contribute to the peace and stability in Syria. But other than that, I do not have any specific information regarding the content of the meeting. But, as you know, Foreign Minister Gemba discussed this issue deeply when he met with the Secretary-General of the Arab League in Cairo. He was briefed deeply about what is happening there. If you are interested, I can share what was discussed at this meeting. As far as we know, President Ghalioun came to Japan after visiting Beijing. Currently I have no information where he is heading after Japan. Actually, he is going to stay in Japan until tomorrow. He arrived yesterday, and he will leave tomorrow.

Q: So he will leave in advance? Because according to the first plan, he was to leave on Saturday. And now it is Friday, so he will be leaving in advance.

Mr. Sato: I do not have information about the previous schedule for his trip. I was wrong. Actually, he arrived last night at 8:00 p.m. at Haneda. He had a meeting with Foreign Minister Gemba this morning, and he will meet with the Former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Yasushi Akashi. He will continue to stay in Japan until Saturday at 11:40 a.m., departing from Narita. He will hold a press conference at the Foreign Press Center tomorrow afternoon at 2:00. So he will stay three nights, four days in Japan.

Q: So you do not know basically where he going after, because I heard probably he is going to Europe. But I do not know exactly where.

Mr. Sato: We do not have any information. Sorry.

Q: I think he is going to Italy.

Mr. Sato: Will there be any international conference?

Q: This is what I would like to understand.

Mr. Sato: Actually, we do not have information about his next destination.

Q: I know that there is something in Italy, but it is not clear what it is. I think it is a kind of event like this one and China, to have the largest support possible to show the government.

Mr. Sato: This is a very good opportunity for Japan to maintain contact with the opposition parties, because we have been very concerned about the worsening situation in Syria. I think there is something Japan can do; that is why we invited him as a guest of the Foreign Minister. We are very pleased to be able to deepen our contacts. Of course, as you may know, the SNC is a representative of all Syrians and, as we understand it, an umbrella organization. We recognize it as the lead interlocutor for the global community. We would like to continue our contacts with the international community, including the opposition groups, including the SNC.

Q: President Ghalioun is also meeting Prime Minister Noda?

Mr. Sato: As far as I know, no. If you would like to know about the results after the visit is over, you are more than welcome to contact us.

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