• Register Email Updates

• >> Advanced Search
• Help

JAPAN - BULGARIA JOINT PRESS RELEASE

January 26, 2009
Tokyo

H.E. Mr. Georgi Parvanov, President of the Republic of Bulgaria is paying an official visit to Japan from January 25 to 29 at the invitation of the Government of Japan. H.E. Mr. Taro Aso, Prime Minister of Japan, and H.E. Mr. Georgi Parvanov held a meeting on January 26. On the same day, H.E. Mr. Parvanov and H.E. Mrs. Parvanova made a state call on Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, and Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress hosted a Court Luncheon in honor of H.E. Mr. Parvanov and H.E. Mrs. Parvanova. During his official visit H.E. Mr.Parvanov also had meetings with H.E. Mr. Yohei Kono, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, H.E. Mr. Satsuki Eda, the President of the House of Councillors, and will meet with representatives of the business community including the Federation of Economic Organizations of Japan.

H.E. Mr. Aso and H.E. Mr. Parvanov confirmed that between the two countries which celebrate the 50th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations this year, there has been active interaction in a wide range of fields such as political, economical and cultural exchanges and exchanges of human resources based on the mutual understanding and cooperation, and shared values such as democracy and market economy. They noted with satisfaction that the traditionally friendly bilateral relations gained new momentum by the mutual visits of the Foreign Ministers of both countries in 2007. Recalling the Joint Statement towards Partnership between Japan and the Republic of Bulgaria, signed in December 2004 in Tokyo between the Prime Ministers of the two countries and recalling the fact that the Republic of Bulgaria has been a member of the European Union since January 2007 and assuming a more important role in the international community, both sides reviewed the achievements of the bilateral relations and exchanged views on the future direction of the traditional friendship and partnership between Japan and the Republic of Bulgaria. Both sides shared the view on the following points to further strengthen the partnership between both countries from a strategic point of view.

Overview of the Bilateral Relations

1. Both sides confirmed their intention to further develop the friendly relations between the two countries and to raise them to a higher stage through strengthening cooperation in wide-ranging areas, expanding various exchanges between both countries and further activating high-level visits. They shared the view that the joint commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations in 2009 will provide further impetus to bilateral cooperation.
2. Both sides recognized the importance of the year 2009 for the relations between Japan and the Republic of Bulgaria and expressed satisfaction that His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino and H.E. Mr.Parvanov have assumed the Patronage / Honorary Presidency of the Friendship Year on the occasion of this commemorative Year. Both sides confirmed that they would closely cooperate for the success of the forthcoming visit of Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino to the Republic of Bulgaria scheduled for May this year.
3. Both sides decided to hold bilateral political consultations and to start the Exchange of Diplomats Program at the earliest time.

Economic Relations

4. The Bulgarian side expressed its deep appreciation for the support provided by the Japanese side during the transition period towards a market economy. The Japanese side highly acknowledged the Republic of Bulgaria's positive efforts in the area of development cooperation based on its own experiences, and expressed its willingness to support the Republic of Bulgaria's efforts through sharing Japan's knowledge and experiences. Both sides confirmed their intention to pursue possibility of bilateral cooperation in the development assistance to third countries of mutual interest.
5. Sharing the view that strong economic ties are the keys to developing the overall bilateral relations, both sides voiced their readiness to make efforts to intensify trade and investment between the two countries. The Japanese side acknowledged the importance of the continuing efforts by the Bulgarian side to improve the business environment. The Bulgarian side appreciated the activities of Japanese companies in the Republic of Bulgaria and expressed its expectation for further strengthening bilateral business relations through the expansion of Japanese investment.

Cultural Exchange and Exchange of Human Resources

6. The Bulgarian side expressed its gratitude for the assistance provided by the Japanese side for the promotion of Bulgarian culture and preservation of Bulgarian cultural heritage, in particular, the " Project for Construction of the Museum Center for Thracian Arts of East Rodopi Mountains".
   Both sides welcomed the intensive cultural exchange existing between the two countries and recognized its importance for promoting mutual understanding and strengthening the excellent bilateral relations. Both sides confirmed their willingness to further foster cultural and human exchanges, and interactions between municipalities, taking the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations, the Japan-Bulgaria Friendship Year 2009 and the Japan-Danube Friendship Year 2009. The Japanese side welcomed the successful ongoing exhibition of Bulgarian Thracian golden treasures in Japan.
7. Both sides highlighted the importance of promoting and further developing studies on the language and culture of the two countries, respectively in Japan and in the Republic of Bulgaria as an important factor for deepening the mutual understanding between the people of both countries. Both sides welcomed the dispatch of Japan Culture Volunteers to the Republic of Bulgaria in January this year and expressed their expectations that this program would further promote the diffusion of the Japanese language in the Republic of Bulgaria and the cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Cooperation on Global Issues

8. Both sides expressed their expectations for close cooperation at the United Nations bodies and other international organizations, including the mutual support of candidatures. They expressed their determination to work together actively for early realization of the United Nations Security Council reform, including the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent categories on the basis of equitable representation. In this connection, the Bulgarian side expressed its support for Japan's permanent membership of the Security Council.
9. Both sides recognized that climate change is one of the highest priorities of the global issues and shared the long-term goal of at least 50% reduction of the global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Both sides underlined the usefulness of sectoral approaches in setting fair national emission reduction targets for developed countries and in promoting global emission reduction through technology transfer to developing countries. Both sides recognized the necessity of differentiating developing countries according to their development stages, capacity to implement their nationally appropriate mitigation actions, capacity to respond to adverse effects of climate change and emission shares in the world. Both sides recognized the need for solidarity with the countries most vulnerable to climate change such as the least developed countries and small island developing States, as well as the need to consider the impact of climate change on international security. Both sides shared the need to cooperate in establishing an effective international framework beyond 2012 in which all major economies participate in a responsible way at the fifteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen, 2009. Both sides expressed their willingness to promote cooperation including JI projects under the Memorandum between Japan and the Republic of Bulgaria on Cooperation under the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, signed in December 2005.
10. Both sides discussed international and regional issues of mutual interest, such as situations in Asia and in Europe. Both sides noted with satisfaction the concurrence of their positions on the situation in the Western Balkan region that the stability and development of the region are the key to the stability and prosperity of the whole South Eastern Europe. The Bulgarian side welcomed Japan's interest in the Black Sea region and expressed readiness for cooperation, particularly in priority sectors such as energy, transport and environment protection.
    The Bulgarian side stressed the importance of promoting cooperation with the Black Sea countries through frameworks such as the Black Sea Synergy and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). The Japanese side expressed its intention to promote dialogue and cooperation with the member states of BSEC.
    Regarding North Korea, the Japanese side expressed its position to realize the normalization of its relationship with North Korea, through comprehensively resolving the outstanding issues of concern, including the abduction, the nuclear and the missile issues, and settling the unfortunate past, to which the Republic of Bulgaria expressed its utmost support.
    Both sides emphasized the need for strengthening cross-cultural dialogue at global, regional and local levels through pro-active partnership among States, civil society organizations, NGOs, local authorities etc. They pointed out that the international initiatives such as Dialogue among civilizations and the UN Alliance of Civilizations represent a tangible contribution to the overall international efforts to overcome polarization and extremism, to bring about an international environment propitious for reinforcing international peace and security, and respect of human rights.