Speech by Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Shigeru UETAKE at the Reception Hosted by Ambassador TANAKA on 24 August 2002
Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Allan Marat, Foreign Minister Sir Rabbi Namaliu, Finance Minister Bart Philemon, Former Prime Minister Mekere Morauta, Cabinet Ministers, Distinguished guests, and ladies and gentlemen,
I am extremely pleased to have an opportunity to meet distinguished leaders of Papua New Guinea tonight.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the meaningful meetings I had with Prime Minister Somare, Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Marat, Foreign Minister Namaliu, Finance Minister Philemon and East NewBrittain Governeor Dion and other high ranking officials.
In fact, Foreign Minister Namaliu was so kind as to guide me in Rabaul. I wish to thank you once again for such generous hospitality.
I also wish to express my feelings of sympathy for many of those people who had to relocate to other areas due to the erruption of Mt. Pago in West New Britain. I myself handed over emergency support materials of roughly 250,000 kinas to your country the day before yesterday, and, next week, we are sending a team of 5 experts on volcanology and disaster relief.
Papua New Guniea. which will be 27 years old next month since the day of indepen- dence, has the largest population in the Pacific region, and has become a core country in the region owing to abundant natural resources and continuous efforts. I would like to pay tribute to your achievement.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Please allow me to take this opportunity to talk a bit about Japan's foreign policy towards the Pacific island countries and bilateral relationship between Papua New Guinea and Japan.
[Japan's Policy towards the Pacific Island Countries]
The Pacific island countries and Japan share historical linkage and close economic and diplomatic ties. The stability and prosperity of those countries are very important to Japan. It was from this point of view that Japan proposed, at the Japan-PIF Leaders Meeting (PALM 2000) in April 2002, the "Pacific Frontier Initiative" comprising of three pillar concepts, the "sustainable development of the Pacific island countries," "regional and global issues of common concern" and the "strengthening of Japan-SPF partnership." Until this date, Japan has been implementing various activities based on those pillars.
For example, in prder to promote human resources development, which is a key element in pursuing sustainable development, Japan hosted an international symposium to discuss human resources policies for sustainable development in this region. Japan hosted another seminar on the promotion of ICT in the Pacific, which later led to a UNDP project that Japan financed to formulate national strategies for ICT promotion in respective Pacific countries.
Secondly, it is an urgent task for all the countries to prevent the deterioration of global environment. For that purpose, the effectiveness of the measures combatting global warming has to be secured. In this regard, it is essential to introduce a set of common rules accepted by all the countries including the United States and developing countries. Japan has been making utmost efforts for this end. We have been supporting the training and education center of SPREP in Samoa, and this is also a part of such efforts.
Thirdly, in implementing cooperation initiatives I mentioned above, "heart-to-heart partnership" would be the basis for it. The intellectual dialogue missions dispatched to various destinations including PNG came up with the recommendations on a series of measures for mutual understanding, education and human resources development and protection of cultural heritage. They submitted those recommendations to Prime Minister Koizumi.
Furthermore, stability of political conditions, democratization, securing peace and development in the post-conflict period have been major issues in this part of the world in recent years. As a part of its support for democratization, Japan got involved in the election support including the dispatch of election observers and supply of equipment to Fiji and the Solomon Islands last year. We will continue to work on these issues.
On the basis of these achievements and experiences, Japan is now preparing to host another round of the Japan-PIF Leaders Meeting some time between April and June next year. In my courtesy call on Prime Minister Somare, I entended an invitation to him for this Leaders Meeting.
[Bilateral Relationship between Japan and Papua New Guinea]
Let me now turn to the bilateral relationship between your country and mine. Papua New Guinea is the place where a number of people died during the Second World War, which has generated a special sentiment in the minds of many of the Japanese people. In Rabaul, one of the sites of heavy fighting, I prayed for all who died including your people and ours.
In the present world, there are a number of global issues that need to be addressed. It is impossible for a single country to cope with global issues such as environment and international terrorism, and so we wish to work with you on those issues.
One of the common issues that both PNG and Japan are facing at the moment is reform. Japan has been promoting structural reform as a matter of top priority under the leadership of Prime Minister Koizumi, who has a firm belief that we have no growth without structural reform. Japan is also supporting your country's structural reform, and it is our strong hope that PNG will be able to improve the economic conditions under the leadership of Prime Minister Somare
Japan has been engaged in various economic cooperation projects in light of the importance we attach to the relationship with PNG. If I am allowed to mention a few, they would include financial support for structural reform, Port Moresby Airport, bridge construction projects along the Highland Highway, water supply facilities in Goroka and Rowrengau and technical cooperation in agriculture. In particular, I have respect for your government's efforts to achieve food security. From this point of view, Japan has provided technical assistance for the rice production in this country, and is now proceeding with the supply of agriculture machines and equipment for the same purpose.
The bilateral economic relations are also in good shape. Your country is endowed with natural resources like mineral, forestry and marine resources which Japan is not fortunate enough to possess, and Japan has been a considerable source of investment in forestry products and cement production. Japan also imports various commodities from PNG. I was also told that, since Air Nugini's inaugural flight to Narita in April this year, the number of Japanese tourists has increased, and that they are impressed by your hospitality towards them and the attractive natural environment in this country.
On the occasion of Air Nugini's inaugural flight, your people kindly presented two pairs of birds of paradise to the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. I believe that birds of paradise are national birds of PNG. On behalf of the Japanese people, I would like to express my gratitude once again to the Government and people of PNG. We are all hoping to see their baby birds as soon as possible. I also understand that 20 cherry trees, our national trees presented to you from us in return for the birds of paradise, have been planted in the University of Goroka, and they are now growing in good shape. The University of Goroka is also known for its Japanese language education, and, therefore, would provide suitable environment for the cherry trees. We are hoping to see full cherry blossoms in the near future.
[Closing Remarks]
My visit to PNG this time has turned out to be an extremely meaningful one, and I myself have been strongly impressed by the beautiful nature and warm hospitality of you people. I truly hope that more and more Japanese will enjoy wonderful things in your country.
Finally, let me say a few words about your host tonight, Ambassador and Madame Tanaka and the staff of the Japanese Embassy. They have been working very hard for the promotion of the relationship with PNG. I would like to ask all of you here to maintain a good working relationship with them.
Thank you very much.
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