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Summary of the Japan-Federal Republic of Germany Regular Foreign Ministerial Consultation

30 October 2000
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The following is a summary of the Japan-Federal Republic of Germany Regular Foreign Ministerial Consultation between Foreign Minister Yohei Kono and Foreign Minister Joseph Fischer, which took place on the evening of 30 October 2000.

1. Adoption and Exchange of the "Seven Pillars of Cooperation For Japan-Germany Relations in the 21st Century"

(1) A new document, the "Seven Pillars of Cooperation For Japan-Germany Relations in the 21st Century," was drafted and exchanged by both the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany at the opening of this Japan-Federal Republic of Germany Regular Foreign Ministerial Consultation, for the purpose of strengthening and expanding the "Action Agenda for the Japan-Germany Partnership" (drafted 1996, first revision 1997), a basic document pertaining to Japan-Germany cooperation.

(2) This document divided mid- to long-term cooperation between Japan and Germany in the 21st century into seven areas, and assigned a detailed action plan to each of these areas.

2. Content of the Foreign Ministerial Consultation

At the Foreign Ministerial Consultation, views were exchanged primarily on Japan-Europe relations, reforms of the United Nations Security Council and of financial contributions to the UN, and the establishment of diplomatic relations between Germany and North Korea. The outline of the consultation is as follows:

(1) Both Ministers agreed that the document adopted at the meeting ("Seven Pillars of Cooperation For Japan-Germany Relations in the 21st Century") was important to create a foundation of future relations between the two countries.

(2) Regarding reforms of the United Nations Security Council and of financial contributions to the UN, both Ministers reached a consensus on maintaining closer communications between Japan and Germany in order to facilitate future cooperation.

(3) Concerning the establishment of diplomatic relations between Germany and North Korea, Foreign Minister Joseph Fischer explained that, although Germany was well aware that there were still extremely critical issues remaining in the relationship with North Korea, such as missile development, allegations of nuclear capability, and the abduction of Japanese nationals, Germany decided to establish a diplomatic relationship in consideration of the importance of approaching and deepening mutual understanding with North Korea. In response, Foreign Minister Yohei Kono stated that, starting 30 October, persistent efforts would be made towards the Japan-North Korea Normalization Talks, and that Japan principally welcomed the fact that Germany's decision to establish diplomatic relations with North Korea would be instrumental in introducing a wave of new views from the outside into North Korea and drawing various information out of North Korea

(4) In other matters, questions were raised regarding Japan's system of capital punishment and the whaling issue, and views were exchanged on recent situations in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Indonesia.