High Level Conference on Southeastern Europe Opening Address by Foreign Minister Yohei Kono

(15 May 2000 at Mita Kaigisho, Tokyo)

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today it is my pleasure to address at the opening of the High Level Conference on Southeastern Europe. This conference has been made possible by the participation of our distinguished guests who represent both the international community, which is contributing to stability and development in the region, and also the countries of the region itself. I am particularly delighted to welcome Mr. Bodo Hombach, the Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe.

(Shared History of Japan and Europe)

The events that shook the earth surrounding the end of the Cold War have provided a good opportunity to the peoples of Southeastern Europe to establish the values of democracy, liberty and respect for human rights, and to build a democratic harmonious society. On the other hand, this historical change served to accelerate the break-up of the former Yugoslavia and became one of the factors which led to the bitter conflicts between the different ethnic groups in that land. It has brought misery and suffering to the people of Southeastern Europe.

The history of multi-ethnic Europe over the past few centuries has been one of the birth of the nationalist sentiment followed by its repression. It is probably right to say that the present day stability and prosperity of Europe has been forged by the blood shed in its history. Overcoming these tragedies, a spirit of tolerance and a recognition of the need for dialogue between different cultures and ethnic groups has taken root in the Europe of today. This has led to a more mature society in which the abuse of nationalism through politics is safeguarded against, and feelings of nationalism are sublimated through art and culture.

On the other hand, Japan too was once drawn into the whirlpool of the Second World War by being unable to live in harmony with our closest neighbours. However, since the end of the war, the values of democracy and liberty have permeated to every corner of Japanese society and we too are now making a contribution to world peace and prosperity.

If we reflect on this, it would be probably right to say that both Europe and Japan realise the necessity of sensitivity and a spirit of tolerance for dialogue between countries with different cultures and social backgrounds. There is ample opportunity for us to cooperate together and complement one another in solving the various problems of Southeastern Europe, including the issue of nationalism.

(Japan and Southeastern Europe)

Japan, which is geographically so far removed from Southeastern Europe, has started to pay close attention to solving the problems of the region from before the Second World War, and nurtured a tradition of following the situation in Southeastern Europe closely, and analysing it in a calm, objective way. It is now 60 years since a book entitled The Balkans was written by Hitoshi Ashida, a Japanese diplomat who served in pre-war Europe before turning to the political world and eventually becoming Prime Minister after the war. This concise work deals sensitively with the countries, peoples, history, and both the economic and political situation of Southeastern Europe. As we read the book, a keen analysis unfolds on the policies of the then Great Powers towards the Balkans as seen by the eye of a sharp-minded diplomat.

After the end of the Second World War, we continued to take a strong interest in Southeastern Europe and have maintained our feeling of friendship with the various countries of the region. In the Japanese Diet, the MP Friendship Leagues of Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia and Hungary have traditionally been very active.

Ever since the collapse of the Berlin Wall which brought about the end of the Cold War, Japan, as a member of the G24, has taken an active role in assisting the reform of the countries of Southeastern Europe. In addition to this, Japan has extended various forms of aid in order to tackle the huminatarian tragedies which have repeatedly occurred in various parts of former Yugoslavia.

In this context, we cannot forget the difficult work of Mr. Yasushi Akashi who was involved in Bosnia as the former Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General of UNPROFOR, and is now President of the Japan Preventive Diplomacy Centre. I will ask him to give a Keynote Address afterwards.

Since the outbreak of conflict in the former Yugoslavia in 1991, Japanese Foreign Ministers have visited that region a total of 5 times including my visits to Croatia in 1995 and to Kosovo and Macedonia in December of last year. It is probably fair to say that this demonstrates the fact that Japan has paid close attention to the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia right from the beginning.

(The deepening of the interdependent relationship between Europe and Japan through globalisation)

Following the Kosovo crisis last year, Japan was involved in the drafting of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 as a member of the G8. Apart from that, Japan has pledged a total of 237 million dollars of aid to Kosovo and the surrounding countries. Furthermore, Japan has played an active part towards the stability and prosperity of the region as one of the major donor countries to Southeastern Europe, as well as a member of the Stability Pact.

Against the background of Japan's proactive role in Southeastern Europe as a member of the international community, there is a recognition that as globalisation progresses, the interdependent relationship between Japan and Europe is deepening, and because of that cooperation has already become a necessity.

Japan remains committed to addressing peace in Kosovo and Bosnia because we are sincerely hoping for the early solution of the issues. Our commitment also reflects our belief that the security issues of Asia and Europe are indivisible.

From that point of view, it is the responsibility of Japan and Europe, which have not only the will but also the ability to assist each other as global partners, to further strengthen mutual cooperation on various regional challenges such as the conflicts in Bosnia and Kosovo in Europe, and East Timor and KEDO in Asia.

(The Significance of the High Level Conference on Southeast Europe)

I would like to stress that this High Level Conference on Southeastern Europe is an opportunity for high-ranking officials and opinion leaders of the countries of the region, as well as from international organisations and other countries involved in promoting stability and development in the region, to express their views freely in a private capacity. Let me emphasise that this conference also aims to help realise a harmonious political culture based on diversity as well as a society centered on a shared humanity in the whole region. For myself, I will feel honoured if this unique international meeting in which such a broad spectrum of representatives are taking part, can support and complement the various mechanisms such as the Stability Pact.

In order to ensure the stability and development of Southeastern Europe, this conference is focusing on three parallel steps. The first is the promotion of a harmonious political culture. The next is the restoration and establishment of human dignity. The third step is the transfer to a market-based economy.

This year also marks the "UNESCO International Year of the Culture of Peace". Using this opportunity I sincerely wish that in the 21st century, true peace will at last visit the countries of Southeastern Europe who have not been able to enjoy the fruits of peace because of the Cold War and the conflicts in former Yugoslavia. I also look forward to a lively debate by participants from both the international community and the countries of the region about the following issues. Firstly to examine the root causes of inter-ethnic conflict and hatred. Secondly, going beyond the political and economic issues, how we can nurture a climate of tolerance and sensitivity through respect for different cultures and ethnic groups, and the preservation of cultural heritage and assets. Thirdly how to educate people to respect peace, not conflict. Furthermore I believe that it is necessary to look closely at how we can turn a state or nation oriented society, which have visited over and over in their region, into a society centerd on a humanity. I think that if we first release people from fear and violence, each individual will be able to use their abilities and so be able to raise the quality of life for all. Together with that it is also important to promote respect for freedom of expression and independence of the media, as well as strengthening the role of the civil society, intellectuals and opinion leaders. I believe that it will only be when human dignity is restored and a people-oriented society is realised, that true stability and peace will visit the region.

Moreover, economic stability is also a prerequisite for allowing democracy to take root. I look forward to a free and open exchange of views about what kind of national and regional policies will promote inter-ethnic harmony through a transition to a market-based economy.

During my New Year visit to Europe, I gave a speech on the theme of New Dimensions in Japan-Europe Cooperation, at the French Institute on Foreign Relations in Paris. In that speech I proposed that in order to strengthen further cooperation between Japan and Europe, next year should be the beginning of a decade of Japan-Europe Cooperation. It is of deep significance that the High Level Conference on Southeastern Europe hosted by Japan can be one of the first events of this new partnership.

(Closing Remarks)

Finally I would like to say a few words to everyone who has crossed all that distance from Southeastern Europe for us. I hope that you will return home having realised that the Japanese people are familiar with the culture and traditions of Southeastern Europe. Southeastern Europe was once an important trade route between the civilisations of East and West along which the products of many civilisations and cultures coursed. I believe that this Southeastern Europe was originally more receptive to different cultures than any other part of Europe and was a world where a spirit of tolerance was deep rooted. I am sure that the ease with which we Japanese feel familiar with Southeastern Europe has not just a little to do with its history. I am very much looking forward to the day when the reconstruction of Southeastern Europe will be achieved, when a variety of cultures and traditions prosper and when the region attains sustainable development in step with integration into the EU.

I also hope that the High Level Conference on Southeastern Europe and our follow-up seminars on education, protection of cultural assets and environment, which will be jointly held by Japan, the relevant international organisations, and others, will all be instrumental in bringing that day closer.

The themes of this year's Kyushu-Okinawa Summit will be; A More Prosperous 21st Century, Peace in the Hearts of People, and A More Stable Society. The question is what needs to be done by each country as well as the international community to achieve these goals. From such a viewpoint, as the G8 Presidency, we will endeavour to make sure that the results of this conference will be reflected as much as possible in the debate at the summit.

   Thank you for your patient attention.