JOINT ANNOUNCEMENT
of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan
and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan
on further development of partnership and cooperation
At the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. K.Tokaev, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Ms. Y.Kawaguchi, pays an official visit to Kazakhstan from 27 to 29 August 2004.
His Excellency President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. N.A.Nazarbaev, will have a meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan.
In the course of the meeting between the Ministers which was held in traditionally friendly atmosphere, a wide range of current international and regional political issues as well as the status and perspectives of bilateral relations was discussed.
- Both sides reconfirmed the relevance of the basic principles of the Kazakh-Japanese relations put forward in the Joint Statement on Friendship, Partnership and Cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and Japan issued during the visit of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. N.A.Nazarbaev, to Japan from 5 to 8 December 1999. Both sides expressed their intention to further strengthen mutual cooperation on a wide range of regional and global issues.
- Both sides
emphasized that, in order to promote human security, sustainable
development and address new threats to peace and security in the world,
particularly in Asia, they intend to further cooperate within the
framework of the United Nations and other international organizations to
which both states belong. In this context, both sides underlined the
imminent need to reform the United Nations, particularly the UN Security
Council by both permanent and non-permanent categories thereof.
Kazakhstan reiterated its support to Japan's permanent membership in the UNSC. - Both sides
discussed the initiative of Kazakhstan on convening the Conference on
Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia directed to create an
effective and universal security structure in Asia. Both sides confirmed
their intention to cooperate for the promotion of the spirit behind this
forum.
Both sides expressed their intention to consult more closely on the issues of regional security and human security in Asia with a special focus on countering the threats of international terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, drug traffic and other kinds of transnational issues. - Both sides expressed their intention to exert joint efforts to maintain peace and stability and ensure prosperity in Asia. In this context, Kazakhstan side expressed its strong support for the initiative of Japan to initiate dialogue between the states of Central Asia and Japan, will be launched by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Ms. Y. Kawaguchi, at the joint meeting to be held in Astana on 28 August 2004 with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tadjikistan and Uzbekistan and the representative of Turkmenistan. Both sides expressed their intention to work together for the promotion of this dialogue.
- Both sides
confirmed their commitment to further cooperate in political, economic,
scientific and technological, cultural and humanitarian spheres and to
strengthen exchanges between governmental bodies and civil groups.
Kazakhstan side expressed its gratitude for the decision of the Government of Japan to provide a cultural grant for supply of sound equipment to the Palace of Republic in Almaty. - Both sides expressed their intention to facilitate a speedy accession of Kazakhstan to the WTO as a necessary condition for sustainable development of the Republic of Kazakhstan and its successful incorporation into the global economy.
- Kazakhstan side expressed its appreciation for the support of Japan in implementing economic reforms and significant social and economic infrastructural projects financed through Japan's Official Development Assistance. In this context, both sides welcomed the signing of the Agreement on Technical Cooperation as providing a comprehensive legal framework for the implementation of smooth and efficient technical cooperation between the two countries.
- Both sides reaffirmed that further democratization and strengthening market economy are vital elements in the nation-building of Kazakhstan. Both sides noted that their efforts will also be conducive to create favorable investment climate that will be beneficial for promoting bilateral economic relations, including the range of direct investment.
- Both sides exchanged views on Innovative Industrial Development Strategy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in view of identifying possible areas for cooperation.
- Both sides exchanged views on the expansion of the legal basis for bilateral cooperation. In this context, both sides expressed their intention to continue to discuss issues regarding the Tax Convention.
August 27, 2004, Astana
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