Ministerial Conference on Peace Consolidation and Economic Development of the Western Balkans
(Overview and Evaluation)
April 7, 2004
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| peace ball |
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the Ministerial Conference on Peace Consolidation and Economic Development of the Western Balkans in Tokyo on April 5, 2004 with Ireland that holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, inviting ministers in charge of foreign affairs and economy from the Western Balkan countries (Republic of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro) as well as representatives from 39 countries and 12 international organizations such as the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government in Kosovo, the EU member countries (including the newly acceding member countries and candidate countries), G8 countries (eight major developed countries), the European Commission and the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe The conference was co-chaired by Mr. Isao Matsumiya, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Tom Kitt, Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Human Rights of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ireland.
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1. Overview
(1) General
At the meeting, after the opening remark by Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, followed by keynote speeches of Minister Kitt and Ms. Sadako Ogata, the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), remarks and comments were given by the participants. The Joint Conclusions of the conference were adopted at the closing session of the conference (see separate document). On April 6, the ministers and Goodwill Ambassador Dragan Stojkovic paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. In the signing ceremony, the Prime Minister signed on the "peace ball (see note)". In addition, a meeting was held with the Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation).
(Note) A football signed by the Heads of State of the five Western Balkan States to express their wish toward peace.
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A friendship game between a Japanese Diet members team and a Western Balkan ministers team.
(2) Outcomes of the meeting
| (a) | Regarding the large-scale violence erupted in Kosovo (March 17 - 20), many countries expressed opinions and supports such as (i) condemnation on the violence; (ii) prevention of ethnically-motivated violence; (iii) support for activities by UNMIK and the Kosovo Force (KFOR) to restore security; and (iv) assistance for the "Kosovo Standards Implementation Plan" announced by UNMIK on March 31. |
| (b) | Foreign Minister Kawaguchi outlined the three pillars, "consolidation of peace," "economic development" and "regional cooperation," as main issues for this region to engage in. In particular, "consolidation of peace" and "economic development" can be considered as the two sides of the same coin, meaning that both of them must be achieved in concert with each other, and Japan has gained wide support from many countries on its view. |
| (c) | As for "consolidation of peace," consensus was reached on the issues including the return of the refugees, the acceleration of the indictees transfer to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the enhancement of measures against organized crimes. |
| (d) | As for "economic development," while the representatives from Western Balkan countries explained that reforms in each country are making progress, they agreed to strengthen the structural framework and capacity building for further promotion of investment, to develop small- and medium-sized enterprises for job opportunities and to endeavour towards the establishment of free trade areas in the Western Balkan region. |
| (e) | A common view was shared on promoting integration into Euro-Atlantic structures mainly by the Western Balkan countries' accession into the EU and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). |
(3) Japan's Initiative
| (a) | Consolidation of Peace |
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| (b) | Economic Development |
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| (c) | Regional Cooperation |
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2. Evaluation
(1) It was extremely beneficial that the followings were recognized at this meeting: (a) while the countries in the Western Balkans has made considerable progress towards the stability following the former Yugoslav conflicts, many participants pointed out the importance for consolidation of peace in the region that is still vulnerable to realize a sustainable economic development; and (b) the Western Balkan countries need to continue making their efforts to reform and at the same time, the international community needs to continue its commitment in this region.
(2) Moreover, this conference had a special significance as the first opportunity since the large-scale violence in Kosovo for parties concerned in the Western Balkans and the international community to get together. As a result, the timely discussion on the situation in Kosovo was held.
(3) Furthermore, this conference provided an opportunity to study the results of the application of the concept of consolidation of peace, as promoted by Japan, to the conflict regions in Europe. As a result, Japan received a high appreciation from many participants on its contribution to the region, despite its geographic distance, (total contribution amounts to approximately US$1.3 billion) while maintaining a neutral position to the whole region. The development of Japan's global diplomacy was thus reaffirmed.
(4) In addition, the Western Balkan region is a key for stability in Europe and the EU is aiming to integrate this region into Europe in the future. It can be said that the political cooperation between Japan and the EU was further developed through Japan's role played in the process of the conference in the formation of consensus concerning issues such as those mentioned in 1.(2) above.
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