Top > Economic Affairs > Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) > APEC 2002 > 14th APEC Joint Ministerial Meeting and 10th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting > Meeting Between Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Chairman of Government of the Russian Federation Mikhail Kasiyanov on the occasion of the 10th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting(Outline)

Meeting Between Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Chairman of Government of the Russian Federation Mikhail Kasiyanov on the occasion of the 10th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting (Outline)

On October 27, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi who was visiting Mexico to attend the 10th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting had talks with Chairman of Government of the Russian Federation Mikhail Kasiyanov. The following is an outline of the meeting.

1. Occupation of a Theater in Moscow by the Terrorists

(1) At the outset of the meeting, Prime Minister Koizumi stated as follows:

  • First of all, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the victims and their families of the incident.
  • On the rescue operation of the hostages, President Putin made an extremely difficult but a resolute decision. Terrorist acts should never be forgiven. With regard to fight against international terrorism, Japan will keep in close contact with Russia.

(2) In response, Chairman Kasiyanov stated as follows:

  • I appreciate your sympathetic remark to emphasize our unity. This incident reaffirmed the necessity of all countries to join hands to tackle international terrorism.

(3) Prime Minister Koizumi added as follows:

  • Japanese people as well as the people around the world tensely observed this incident. Such a mean act is a matter of concern for all of us. I can imagine the anguish President Putin had in making a difficult decision.

2. Prime Minister Koizumi's Upcoming Visit to Russia and the "Japan-Russia Action Plan"

(1) Chairman Kasiyanov stated as follows:

  • President Putin is looking forward to Prime Minister Koizumi's visit to Russia in January and is determined to make it a success. From this perspective, the "Japan-Russia Action Plan" is of great significance, which sets out a mid to long-term view on Japan-Russia relations and outlines the fields of cooperation.

(2) Prime Minister Koizumi responded as follows:

  • We have agreed on signing the Action Plan upon my visit to Russia. This is an important document as a basic guideline for Japan-Russia relations. We would like to steadily continue the preparation of the visit.

3. Issues of the Northern Territories

(1) Prime Minister Koizumi stated as follows:

  • Issues of the Northern Territories, which is inherited after the WWII, is not only an obstacle to the development of Japan-Russia Relations, but also is a matter of long-time concern, and we need to make efforts to overcome this problem.
  • There is great potential for the development of Japan-Russia relations. For example, Japan became the closest ally of the United States despite the fact that we were enemies during the WWII. I wish to make this visit a fruitful one by advancing Japan-Russia relations in broad areas in order to solve the Northern Territories issue.

(2) Chairman Kasiyanov, in response, stated as follows:

  • Regarding the issue of concluding a Peace Treaty, we need to make efforts to continue the detailed discussions between experts of both countries. We must avoid the negative impact on the development in other areas by the fact that this issue is not solved yet.

4. Japan-Russia Economic Relations

(1) Prime Minister Koizumi stated the following:

  • The amount of trade between Japan and Russia remains at the level of one fortieth of that between Japan and the United States, and one twentieth of that between Japan and China as well as that between Japan and EU. Considering Russia's resources, there is great potential for the development of economic relations between Japan and Russia.
  • President Putin played an important role in advancing market economy and building a closer relationship with the United States and European Countries. I would like to further develop the Japan-Russia relations based on the achievement to date. In this regard, the "Japan-Russia Action Plan" is of great significance.

(2) Chairman Kasiyanov responded as follows:

  • I agree with Prime Minister Koizumi's remark that there is great potential for the development of Japan-Russia economic relations. The current level of our trade figures do not reflect that potential. Trade, science and technology, and culture are the areas in which our two countries can further develop our relations.
  • In Russia, Japan's economic achievement and advancement of technology are highly evaluated and further cultural exchanges are very much desired. Specifically, the fields such as energy, timber, fishery, development of natural resources in Siberia and Far East, transport are the targets of cooperation.

5. Committee for Assistance

(1) Prime Minister Koizumi stated as follows:

  • In view of much criticism on the Committee for Assistance, we have come to a conclusion that the Committee should be abolished by the end of this fiscal year. We intend to make efforts in such ways that abolishment of the Committee will bring about promising results to Japan-Russia relations rather than regressive consequences for Japan-Russia relations.
  • Also, we hope that we will have close consultations and maintain the framework agreement concerning operations of Japanese fishing vessels in waters around the four Northern Islands without making it into a political problem, avoiding any negative impacts of abolishment of the Committee on our friendly relationship or the framework agreement.

(2) Chairman Kasiyanov, in response, stated as follows:

  • I very well understand your explanation of the Japanese Government on the decision regarding the abolishment of the Committee. We highly evaluate the Committee's contribution to promoting human resources development in Russia.

6. Issues concerning North Korea

(1) Prime Minister Koizumi stated as follows:

  • I received appropriate and helpful advice from President Putin concerning my visit to North Korea. I would be grateful if you could convey my gratitude to President Putin.

(2) Chairman Kasiyanov, in response, stated as follows:

  • We regard your visit to North Korea a historic event, which leads to the stability of Japan-North Korea relations and of Asia as well as the whole world. Japan and Russia need to coordinate policies toward the issues of Korean Peninsula.

(3) Prime Minister Koizumi further stated the following:

  • The main issues between Japan and North Korea are the issue of security as well as the abduction of Japanese nationals and the issue of unidentified ships. Today I am scheduled to hold a trilateral talks with the United States and the Republic of Korea on the issue of security. Security and nuclear issues are important, which affects the whole North-East Asia, in addition to Japan-North Korea relations.
  • It is necessary to make North Korea understand that it is their own benefit to become a responsible nation which complies with the international agreements. We expect President Putin and the Russian government to exert influence on North Korea on this point.

(4) Chairman Kasiyanov responded with emphasis that Japan and Russia need to coordinate well to deal with issues concerning Korean Peninsula.

Prime Minister Koizumi talked with Chairman of Russian Federation Kasiyanov, covering Terrorists' acts in Moscow, Koizumi's visit to Russia, Northern Territories, Economic Relations, North Korea etc.


Japan-Russia Relations

Back to Index