Opening Speech by Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs,
at the Ministerial Conference on Peace Consolidation and Economic Development of the Western Balkans in Tokyo, April 5, 2004
(Opening Remarks)
Ladies and gentlemen:
It is a great honor for me to welcome you all here today for the Ministerial Conference on Peace Consolidation and Economic Development of the Western Balkans.
(Present Situation in the Balkans)
Several years have passed since the conflict in the former Yugoslav States ended. Peace and stability are now finally starting to take root in the Western Balkans. This meeting in which ministers from the Western Balkan nations have gathered together to discuss regional cooperation and development is a testimony to the growing stability of the region. This is the fruit of the efforts made by the leaders of the Western Balkan countries, including Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski who so tragically passed away in February. It is also the product of work by the international community, including the U.S., the EU, the UN, NATO, and the OHR (Office of High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina). I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest respect to all those involved.
Not all issues, however, have been settled yet. Many problems remain to be resolved over time. Although the situation is heading towards stabilization, this has not yet been achieved. The large-scale violence that erupted in Kosovo in March demonstrates the fact that true peace has yet to be consolidated.
I hope this meeting sends out a positive message that the Western Balkan nations are cooperating to fully consolidate peace and accomplish sustainable economic development with the international community continuing its commitment to that effort.
(Three Pillars)
Japan has actively promoted "peace consolidation diplomacy." We regard "peace consolidation and nation building" as one of the pillars of our international cooperation. To date, Japan has extended economic cooperation totaling 1.8 billion U.S. dollars to South Eastern Europe, including the Western Balkans. In providing this assistance, we have placed importance on contributing to 'peace building' in the Western Balkan region while reflecting the concept of 'human security.' These approaches are based on our new Official Development Assistance Charter.
Japan will continue to actively contribute to the Western Balkan region based on the following three pillars:
(1. Peace Consolidation)
First is the consolidation of peace. It is especially important for the Western Balkan countries to promote democratization, the rule of law, regional cooperation and cooperation with the international community including cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.
In connection with the consolidation of peace in the region I would like to mention the recent situation in Kosovo. Japan strongly condemns the violence that broke out in many parts of Kosovo in March and urges the parties concerned to show restraint in facing the situation. The international community will continue to support the "Standards before Status" approach based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244. I would like to appeal to the international community to support the efforts of the parties concerned to steadily carry out the Kosovo Standards Implementation Plan worked out by UNMIK, including direct dialogues with Belgrade. The recent violence demonstrated once again the great importance of ethnic reconciliation for the consolidation of peace. It is crucial that the parties concerned in the region promote ethnic reconciliation and continue their efforts to build a multi-ethnic society. This includes cooperating in the return and settlement of refugees and internally displaced persons.
Japan intends to continue its cooperation in these fields.
Moreover, organized crime and illegal trafficking are impediments to the establishment of the rule of law and a sound business environment in the Western Balkans. These are transnational issues that the region should address in cooperation with the international community. Japan expects the Western Balkan countries to steadily implement the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and continue to take appropriate measures to prevent the region from being utilized as a base of international terrorism. To date, Japan has participated in the collection of small arms and assisted the police in Kosovo, and we intend to continue to support the efforts of Western Balkan countries to reinforce public order by training local police officers.
(2. Economic Development)
Second is economic development. The stage of reconstruction assistance has ended, and the Western Balkan region is entering the stage of sustainable economic development. The revitalization of the private sector is of supreme importance to the new stage. The Western Balkan nations must continue their market reform efforts. Important among these are the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as entrepreneurship and the promotion of trade and investment. From these perspectives, Japan will support human resource development for promoting SMEs and will provide policy support to enhance trade and investment. Specifically, we will consider the long-term dispatch of experts and the dispatch of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and Senior Overseas Volunteers.
To promote foreign direct investment to the region, the dialogue between Western Balkan nations and the foreign business community must be further enhanced. In this respect, the meeting with Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) scheduled for tomorrow will be an important opportunity. I am sure that the Japanese business community will recognize from this meeting the numerous opportunities in the region.
Development of the economic and social infrastructure is also indispensable for sustainable and stable economic development. To date, Japan has placed particular emphasis on the development of the transport infrastructure, including the upgrading of port facilities and the construction of motorways. We intend to continue to contribute to the enhancement of the regional flow of goods and will consider providing financial assistance for projects that will promote economic revitalization.
Moreover, the Western Balkan nations should promote industries which boast a comparative advantage. One that shows particular promise is tourism. I would like to propose that a workshop on the promotion of the region's industries, including tourism, be held as a follow-up to this conference.
(Interdependence of Peace Consolidation and Economic Development)
Peace consolidation and economic development are like two sides of the same coin, each being highly relevant to the other. There is little chance for economic development without ethnic reconciliation and peace. At the same time, the increase in poverty and unemployment caused by lagging economic development is becoming a major factor that hinders the consolidation of peace. Delayed economic development is creating a hotbed for crime, contributing to disillusionment with democratization and reform, and making ethnic reconciliation difficult. Peace consolidation and economic development are always closely linked, and measures to address them must be considered together in inter-related efforts.
(3. Regional Cooperation)
Third is regional cooperation. Peace consolidation and economic development are not something that a nation can manage alone; they require region-wide cooperation. In this regard, I set a high value on the role played by the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe. Cooperation that goes beyond national boundaries, in parallel with the efforts of the Western Balkan countries themselves, is indispensable for border control and measures to tackle organized crime and illegal trafficking. In addition, economic development would require the promotion of economic exchange, including the promotion of free trade agreements (FTAs) within the region. Even if a single nation's market is only a few million, that market is transformed into a huge and very appealing market of tens of millions with FTAs. This is crucial for attracting the investment necessary for future development.
(Support that Complements EU Efforts)
The process for EU and NATO membership for the countries of this region is a powerful measure for further stabilizing the region. Japan supports the region's integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures. We intend to play a complementary role for the stabilization of the region while coordinating efforts with the EU as a global partner.
(Commitment of Western Balkan Nations)
There is an Albanian proverb that says that 'one is one's own best doctor.' It is the Western Balkan nations themselves that can boldly implement true reform. I strongly hope that they will make a firm commitment to the world community today to pursue peace consolidation and economic development and that that commitment will result in real action.
If I were to ask Mr. Dragan Stojkovic, a Goodwill Ambassador for this conference, what the secret of building a strong football team is, he would reply that it is to have talent as individuals and as a group. It is impossible to create a strong team if you lack either individual ability or teamwork. This can be applied to the team of the Western Balkans as well. It is important that they revitalize regional cooperation as a team while each nation demonstrates its individual talents. I would like to see the region combine its strengths and strive for the goal. In closing, I would like to pledge that Japan will continue to be a supporter of the Western Balkan team.
Thank you very much.
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