JOINT STATEMENT ON FRIENDSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND COOPERATION BETWEEN JAPAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

Prime Minister of Japan Keizo Obuchi and President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbaev, on the occasion of President Nazarbaev's visit to Japan, December 5-8, 1999, issued the following statement concerning the framework for relationship between the two countries in the coming 21st century.

   Both sides highly appreciated the progress in bilateral relations achieved following the visit of President Nazarbaev to Japan in 1994. The Kazakhstani side expressed its deep appreciation to the Government and the people of Japan for the support to the economic reforms and the realization of long-term development programs in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Kazakhstani side expressed its special gratitude to the Government of Japan for hosting the Tokyo International Conference on Semipalatinsk on September 6-7, 1999, to appeal to the international community for further assistance to meet the urgent needs in the Semipalatinsk region.

   Both sides expressed their satisfaction with successful development of the cooperation between Japan and the Republic of Kazakhstan in political, economic, cultural, humanitarian and other areas. Both sides expressed their intention to develop friendship and strategic partnership based on the principles of mutual benefit, respect and support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other.

   The Kazakhstani side explained strategic priorities of its development and expressed its desire for the support of the Government of Japan to the prioritized projects of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Considering that Astana development projects are given high priority by the Government of Kazakhstan, the Japanese side reaffirmed its decision to conduct the Astana New Capital City General Master Plan Study. Both sides shared the intention to start the preparatory work on a middle-term project list for ODA loan, identifying projects which may be taken up for consideration in the framework of the economic cooperation between Japan and the Republic of Kazakhstan.

   Both sides, recognizing that the rich oil and other resources in the Republic of Kazakhstan are having a steadily expanding influence on the world market and are expected to contribute to the prosperity of the region, emphasized the importance of mutual cooperation in the exploitation of oil and other resources in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

   Both sides recognized the importance of the development of Eurasian transport corridors as a means of expansion of trade and economic cooperation between Asia and Europe.

   Both sides, confirming that extensive bilateral personnel exchange was of great importance in deepening the mutual trust and understanding between the peoples of Japan and Kazakhstan, have reached the common recognition that it was necessary to continue to promote bilateral contacts in various fields, including science and technology, culture, education, tourism, sports and other areas.

   Both sides acknowledged the necessity of encouraging inter-parliamentary contacts which would contribute to the bilateral relations between Japan and the Republic of Kazakhstan, and play an important role in deepening cooperation between the two countries.

   Both sides strongly condemned terrorism in all forms, irrespective of motives, and reaffirmed their determination to combat against terrorism.

   Both sides reaffirmed their intention to contribute to the strengthening of the role and authority of the United Nations. Both sides emphasized the need for the early realization of the Security Council reform with the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership. The Kazakhstani side reconfirmed its support for the willingness of the Japanese side to discharge its responsibilities as a permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations. Both sides also affirmed their intention to consult and cooperate at the United Nations and other international organizations, in order to maintain international peace and security, especially in the Asian region. In this regard, the Kazakhstani side expressed its intention to toughen further the export control over arms and sensitive dual-use goods and technologies. The Japanese side welcomed the initiative taken by the Republic of Kazakhstan on convening the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia.

   The Japanese side appreciated the efforts being made by the Kazakhstani side in collaboration with international financial organizations for the implementation of economic reforms toward a market economy. The Kazakhstani side stressed its determination to continue positive dialogues with international financial and economic organizations.

Tokyo, December 6, 1999