Visit to Japan by President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia
(Overview and assessment)
March 12, 2007
President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia and the First Lady paid a working visit to Japan from March 7 through 11 at Japan's invitation. The following is an overview and assessment of the visit.
1. Schedule
In Japan, President Saakashvili and the First Lady met with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress on March 9. On March 8, talks were held with Speaker of the House of Representatives Yohei Kono and a summit meeting was held with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The President and the First Lady then attended a dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Abe. On March 9, Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso paid a courtesy call to the President. The President and the First Lady visited Kyoto and Osaka on March 10 and 11.
2. Overview
(1) The following is an overview of the summit meeting.
(a) Prime Minister Abe highly praised reform efforts by Georgia, which is serving as a model for democratization and market-oriented economic reform in nations of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and expressed Japan's intention to continue to support Georgia. The Prime Minister mentioned the Seminar on the Management of Parliament to be held in late March as one concrete measure. Both sides agreed to strengthen their relations as partner countries that share fundamental values.
(b) President Saakashvili underlined significant improvements in the investment environment of Georgia and the importance of Georgia as a central point between Europe and Asia, and expressed his hope that Japan would invest in Georgia.
(c) Concerning United Nations reforms, President Saakashvili reiterated Georgia's support for Japan's becoming a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. He also stated Georgia's support for Japan's candidacy for election to a non-permanent seat on the Security Council in 2008, for which Prime Minister Abe expressed deep gratitude.
(d) On the issue of North Korea, both sides agreed to cooperate in areas such as the denuclearization of North Korea and resolution of the abduction issue.
(e) Furthermore, both sides exchanged opinions on expanding economic relations and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Following the summit meeting, President Saakashvili and Prime Minister Abe signed a joint statement and an agreement on technical cooperation.
(2) The following is an overview of the courtesy call to President Saakashvili by Foreign Minister Aso.
(a) Foreign Minister Aso stated that Japan hopes to develop relations with Georgia, which is geopolitically important and is also one of the "GUAM" nations, and explained the idea of an "Arc of Freedom and Prosperity." President Saakashvili expressed his full support regarding the concept of an "Arc of Freedom and Prosperity." He also said that Japan is a leader among countries aspiring for reform in the world and that Georgia will consistently support Japan's becoming a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
(b) President Saakashvili spoke on the far-reaching effect and geopolitical changes that the democratic revolution in Georgia have given to nations of the former Soviet Union. Foreign Minister Aso commented that Asian nations that have incorporated Japanese methods have achieved economic success and growth, and said that Japan would like to continue to contribute to Georgia's development.
3. Assessment
(1) The visit to Japan by President Saakashvili this year, which marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Georgia, served as an opportunity for the two countries to strengthen their ties as partners that share fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, fundamental human rights, and rule of law.
(2) Japan was able to clearly express its intention to enhance cooperation with Georgia, which plays an important role in the "Arc of Freedom and Prosperity," a new pillar of Japan's foreign policy, and to continue to support reform efforts in Georgia, which is serving as a model for democratization and market-oriented economic reform in nations of the former Soviet Union.
(3) The Georgia side expressed its intention to strongly support the expanding Japan's role in the international community, including its support for Japan's becoming a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Both sides agreed to strengthen joint efforts to address problems in the international community, including such issues as abduction one, which are related to North Korea.
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