PRESS RELEASE
Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi to Kazakhstan
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28 August 2004
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan
1. Outline
(1) From 27 August to 29, 2004 Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi visits Kazakhstan, as part of her round of visits to four countries in Central Asia. (It has been 12 years since the last visit to Kazakhstan by a Japanese Foreign Minister in 1992.)
(2) On August 28, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi paid a courtesy call on President Nursultan Nazarbaev. On August 27, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi held a meeting with Foreign Minister Kassymzhomart Tokaev, and signed the Agreement on Technical Cooperation between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Exchange of Notes for "Supply of Sound Equipment to the Republic Palace (Almaty)," a cultural grant aid project by the Government of Japan.
(3) A Joint Statement was issued by both governments.
2. Specific Results
(1) Enhancing Bilateral Relations
(a) Overview
During the meeting between Foreign Minister Kawaguchi and Foreign Minister
Kassymzhomart Tokaev, they shared the view that in recent years the relations
between both countries (strategic partnership), have further deepened in
various sectors, including the political and economic sectors. Foreign Minister
Kawaguchi reaffirmed Japan's plan of moving its Embassy to Astana, the new
capital, in January 2005.
(b) Economic Cooperation
The Kazakhstan side expressed high appreciation and gratitude for the economic
cooperation by the government of Japan. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated that
Japan was prepared to assist Kazakhstan's efforts for further democratization
and development of market economies in Kazakhstan.
Both countries welcomed the signing of the "Agreement on Technical
Cooperation between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic
of Kazakhstan", and expressed their expectation to facilitate their
economic cooperation in the future.
(Note) The "Agreement on Technical Cooperation" provides comprehensive arrangements for the implementation of Japanese technical cooperation, such as dispatch of the Experts, the Senior Volunteers, and members of the fact-finding missions in Kazakhstan and provision of technical training in Japan to Kazakhstan nationals. This Agreement enables a smoother implementation of Japan's technical cooperation projects in Kazakhstan.
(c) Signing of the Official Documents for Supply of Sound Equipment to the
Republic Palace (Almaty)
This is a cultural grant aid project by the Government of Japan through Supply
of Sound equipments to the Hall of the Republic Palace of Kazakhstan (Almaty)
that greatly contributes to the promotion of Kazakhstan's culture of stage art
including musical concerts and theater performances. The implementation of this
project was agreed during this visit (Amount to be provided is 49.8 million yen
(approximately US$ 450,000)).
(2) Hosting the "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue
President Nazarbaev and Foreign Minister Tokaev welcomed the Japan's initiative of launching the "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue. Both countries confirmed that they cooperate each other for the success and promotion of this Dialogue.
(3) Anti-terrorism Cooperation
Both countries firmly denounced terrorism and confirmed that the international community must act together in order to prevent international terrorism.
(4) Cooperation in the International arena
The Kazakhstan side expressed its support for Japan's further role in the international arena and stated its support for Japan's permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated Japan's intention to continue to cooperate with Kazakhstan in realizing reform of the United Nations.
(5) Regional Situation
Both sides exchanged views on the regional situation, particularly, on Afghanistan.
3. Joint Statement
The Governments of Japan and Kazakhstan issued a Joint Statement on this visit of Foreign Minister Kawaguchi. (see the attachment) (Outline of the Joint Statement: )
(1) Progress of their cooperation based on the "Joint Statement on Friendship, Partnership and Cooperation between Japan and the Republic of Kazakhstan" which was issued on the occasion of President Nazarbayev's visit to Japan in 1999;
(2) Support for the "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue;
(3) Conclusion of the technical cooperation agreement;
(4) Promotion of cultural exchange;
(5) Japan's support for Kazakhstan's early accession to WTO.
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