PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN AT THE APEC SUMMIT

21 October 2003

Opening remarks by the Prime Minister
Question on North Korea
Question on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Question on the World Trade Organization (WTO)
Question on the Union of Myanmar

Opening remarks by the Prime Minister

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen of the press. At the Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum which was held this time in Bangkok, I am grateful for the very warm welcome and hospitality extended by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the Government and the people of the Kingdom of Thailand. I believe that I was able to have a very frank exchange of views with the leaders attending at the conference this time. Also, in the wings of these meetings, I also had various bilateral summits.

First of all, I believe a major result we achieved was that we put together a message that we shall strive to expeditiously revitalize the new round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the interests of greater trade and investment liberalization and facilitation in the APEC region. The Ministerial Meeting in Cancun of the WTO failed to achieve the intended results. That, of course, was regrettable. We should build on the results achieved so far and the economies participating expressed their strong will that negotiations should be further pursued expeditiously. Japan shall continue its efforts also in the interest of a successful WTO Doha Round.

The second result achieved was that we confirmed, on the basis of Japan's proposal, the leaders' determination to address structural reform in the economies of the APEC region in order to achieve economic growth in the APEC region.

The third result was that we were able to evince the APEC leaders' understanding that the fight against terrorism will last for a long time and the cooperation amongst us will be very necessary. The APEC leaders evinced their determination to address, as APEC, the security challenges the APEC region faces such as terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. There are efforts that each economy should individually address and there are other challenges that the member economies should address in cooperation. We were able to confirm that we will work with each other and also that we will work with strong determination to prevent and root out terrorism.

On North Korea, I pointed out in both the APEC meetings as well as in the bilateral meetings that I had repeatedly explained Japan's position. I was able to gain their understanding and cooperation I believe, especially with regard to the six-party talks that were held this past August. We are of the view that we should keep up the six-party talk process and through the six-way talks we should continue to continue to work on the North Koreans in various ways. As far as Japan is concerned, the problem is not just nuclear. There is the abduction issue as well as missile issues. So we need to deal with North Korea comprehensively, encompassing all of these issues. That is the explanation that I made.

The United States of America, the Republic of Korea, the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation, and needless to say, Japan, are all trying to figure out and are seriously working to resolve the North Korean issues in a peaceful and diplomatic manner. I believe they would be able to well understand the sincerity and the seriousness on our part. I visited North Korea last year, and when I met with Chairman Kim Jong-Il during that visit, I did discuss the fact that North Korea becoming a responsible member of the international community would be of the greatest benefit to North Korea. North Korea, I believe, has the greatest interest in its own security. I am aware of that.

In the six-party talks, these countries including Japan that are involved in the six-way talks are really seriously seeking a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the problems concerned. That is the best way to ensure the security of North Korea. That is the point that North Korea should understand. In that respect, it is in the six-party talk framework that Japan also would like to continue to work on North Korea. Of course, there are certain things that Japan alone, on a bilateral basis, can deal with North Korea. With regard to dialogue with North Korea, I believe I was able to have the understanding as well as the cooperation of the APEC leaders. North Korea should well understand that all these countries are seriously seeking a peaceful and diplomatic resolution of the problems concerned.

In the wings of the APEC meetings, I had bilateral meetings with President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation, President Hu Jintao of the People's Republic of China and President Roh Moo Hyun of the Republic of Korea.

In the summit with President Putin, we welcomed the steady implementation of the Japan-Russia Action Plan and confirmed that we shall strive to further promote Japan-Russia relations in diverse areas, including promoting negotiations for a peace treaty. I believe that promoting broad relations between Japan and Russia should certainly be conducive to the conclusion of a peace treaty. We should like to really develop relations between Japan and Russia in various areas. Concerning the future of desirable Japan-Russia relations, we need to exchange views and we therefore agree agreed to establish a Japan-Russia Eminent Persons Conference. The Chairman on the Japan side will be former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori. The Russian side will soon appoint an appropriate person as the Russian Chair.

In my meeting with President Hu Jintao of the People's Republic of China, we saw eye-to-eye that our bilateral relations will only grow in importance and so we should try to grow our bilateral relations with future orientation. We decided to establish a Japan-China Committee for New Friendship in the 21st Century. In response to my explanation regarding our position on North Korea, President Hu Jintao stated that he fully understands the feelings of the abduction victims and their families. China does have a significant influence over North Korea and in the six-way talks held in August, China played a major role. Appreciating those facts, I believe that Japan and China should continue to cooperate with each other in working on North Korea to make progress.

In my meeting with President Roh Moo Hyun of the Republic of Korea, we confirmed that we shall launch negotiations for a Japan-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreements (FTA) and we also saw substantive agreement on a Social Security Agreement. This should be beneficial for businesspersons of Japan and the Republic of Korea as they engage in business activities in their respective countries. I believe this is a step forward towards even closer ties between Japan and the Republic of Korea.

At the APEC Leaders' Meeting this time, Asia-Pacific leaders gathered together and there was cooperation amongst these economies. I felt very strongly that this conference was an important forum for the world's security as well as economic development. I felt that it was most meaningful that we were able to have very productive and constructive discussions. Once again, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to the Government and the people of the Kingdom of Thailand for their very warm hospitality.

Question on North Korea

Mr. Tachibana, TV Asahi: I have a question about North Korea. At the Evian Summit and other international fora, you have talked about the nuclear programs and the abduction issues and you are trying to issue strong messages. If we look at the results of this Leaders' Meeting, there was the Chair's Summary and an oral summary, of which there was only one, and there was no direct reference to the abductees. What is the background of this result?

Prime Minister Koizumi: The abduction issue, for Japan, is the matter of greatest concern. For other countries, however, the nuclear issue is a matter of even greater concern, I believe. For Japan, it is not just the nuclear issue, but the abduction issue as well and we believe needs to be addressed comprehensively. Each country has different relations with North Korea compared to Japan's relations with North Korea. Japan has not normalized relations with North Korea as yet. China and Russia, in the meantime, maintain friendly ties with North Korea. So each country has different relations and different circumstances. We have to take into account those factors as well. We are of course talking about the international arena. So we need to take into consideration each countries' circumstances in dealing with the issue at hand.

However, as I said earlier, vis-à-vis North Korea, we shall pursue a peaceful and diplomatic resolution of the issues and I believe North Korea will need to understand this. I believe that Japan's position as it addresses the six-party talks will be well understood. I believe we were also able to confirm the will of all the other countries concerned that they are going to cooperate.

Question on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Journalist from The Nation: China has concluded an FTA with ASEAN members and has declared ASEAN as a strategic partner. What has Japan done in response to these challenges?

Prime Minister Koizumi: The relations between Japan and the ASEAN have the track record of the past. China is striving to further promote relations with ASEAN countries and this is fine. Japan welcomes that. Japan shall build on the track record so far and continue to attach importance to our relations with ASEAN as a sincere and open partner that "acts together and advances together." We shall build on the track record so far and consider how best we can further strengthen the ties between Japan and ASEAN.

China, also with its own ideas, intends to further promote relations with ASEAN and that is fine. So for each of our countries to strengthen ties with ASEAN would be beneficial for ASEAN as well. We now have annual meetings of ASEAN+3 (ASEAN plus Japan, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea) and I believe that this will also further strengthen the relations in this region. As I said, there is no change whatsoever in Japan's position of attaching importance to our relations with ASEAN. However, our way of attaching importance may be different from the way China does, and I am sure that there must be a way to promote our relations with ASEAN cooperating with China. So there are various way of promoting relations, Japan and ASEAN promoting their relations, and China an ASEAN. Also, Japan and China are cooperating with each other in order to push ahead relations with ASEAN. It is with these in mind that I intend to go to various ASEAN related meetings as well.

Related Information(ASEAN+3)

Question on the World Trade Organization (WTO)

Mr. Aida, Yomiuri: This time, the Leaders' Meetings of APEC, as far as the WTO New Round is concerned, you have come to the agreement that you will continue working based on the text. However, the Japan-Mexico FTA talks did not succeed earlier, so as exemplified by that, agriculture remains a big challenge for Japan. As Prime Minister, what kind of leadership are you going to exercise on this?

Prime Minister Koizumi: When we consider economic partnerships, free trade agreements and the like, and when we bear in mind negotiations of these with various countries we cannot bypass agriculture. We really have to face up to the liberalization of agriculture. With regard to your question about the talks between Japan and the United Mexican States, at the meeting this time, President Vicente Fox Quesada of the United Mexican States was there as well. Although it was not an official meeting, I did have a one-on-one meeting with President Fox. The FTA talks between Japan and Mexico in Tokyo earlier failed to reach a settlement because of a minor difference. However, I believe overall that it is true that we saw major progress. So at the APEC meeting this time today as well, although it was very short, President Fox and I talked to each other. I suggested that we resume negotiations soon. Japan is in the middle of parliamentary elections. However, instead of waiting until the elections are over, President Fox suggested resuming the talks immediately. I agreed on that with President Fox. It certainly was unfortunate that we could not really add the finishing touches to the FTA this time, but I believe there was major progress achieved and I believe we should really build on the results so far and continue with our efforts to really tie the knots. We would like to therefore resume talks with Mexico as early as possible. That is an agreement with President Fox and I have already given out instructions to the ministries concerned and President Fox was saying that he will also send the instructions immediately to his ministries.

Related Information(Japan and WTO)

Question on the Union of Myanmar

Unidentified journalist from Business Newspaper: There is a lot of talk in this APEC meeting, particularly on releasing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to participate in the democratic process of the Myanmar Road Map. Japan has played a vital role in this regard with individual concern for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at the ASEAN+3 meeting in Bali this year. What do you envisage as the development of the Road Map and what approach or policy will Japan adopt to tackle on this issue?

Prime Minister Koizumi: On the issue of the Union of Myanmar, at the ASEAN+3 Meeting held recently in Bali in the Republic of Indonesia, I had a meeting with Prime Minister Khin Nyut, although that was just a brief talk in the corridor, in which I conveyed to him that Japan is very concerned about democratization in Myanmar. In the past, Japan enjoyed friendly ties with Myanmar and against that backdrop, we developed our cooperative relations with Myanmar. Countries around the world are concerned about democratization in Myanmar, and especially about the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, so I asked Prime Minister Khin Nyut to exercise stronger leadership for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and democratization in Myanmar. I believe Myanmar will heed the efforts of ASEAN and the great concerns that the world community has been expressing. I am sure that Myanmar is aware of those concerns and Myanmar's efforts at democratization, as I believe they are aware, would be very important for Myanmar's development. Japan wishes to further promote its friendly ties with Myanmar and I asked him to make greater efforts at democratization so that there will be a better climate that enables Japan to promote its friendly ties and I really count on his strong leadership. Thank you very much.

Back to Index