Meeting Between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi and
Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Petersen of the Kingdom of Norway
and working Dinner Hosted by Foreign Minister Kawaguchi
(Summary)
May 21, 2004
On May 20, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Petersen of the Kingdom of Norway during his visit to Japan, followed by a working dinner hosted by Foreign Minister Kawaguchi.
At the meeting, two foreign ministers exchanged views on the bilateral relations, the World Trade Organization (WTO), the peace process in Sri Lanka and the current situation in Myanmar. Issues concerning North Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, the government's Official Development Assistance (ODA), the enlargement of the European Union (EU) and others were also discussed during the working dinner in a very relaxed atmosphere. On the same day Foreign Minister Petersen also held talks with Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Shoichi Nakagawa and with Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Yoshiyuki Kamei.
1. Bilateral relations
Foreign Minister Kawaguchi warmly welcomed Foreign Minister Petersen's visit to Japan and stated that she expected the existing good bilateral relations to become even closer, particularly in view of the 100th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Japan and Norway next year 2005. In response, Foreign Minister Petersen expressed his satisfaction with bilateral cooperation in various areas such as the peace process in Sri Lanka. As Foreign Minister Kawaguchi appreciated Norway's participation in EXPO 2005 AICHI jointly with four other Nordic countries, Foreign Minister Petersen stated that Norway's participation would be very meaningful and that his country looked forward to the event. Foreign Minister Petersen also noted that Norway would continue to cooperate with Japan in the area of whaling at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) where the two countries share common interests.
2. World Trade Organization (WTO)
The ministers exchanged views on the World Trade Organization (WTO), including the informal ministerial meeting in Paris attended by Foreign Minister Petersen. In light of two countries, common interests on many issue of the Doha Development Agenda, the ministers reaffirmed their commitments to reaching on agreement on the framework of important items of the Agenda by the end of July and their intention to closely cooperate to advance negotiations in such areas as agriculture, anti-dumping (AD) and services.
3. Peace Process in Sri Lanka
Foreign Minister Petersen explained his visit to Sri Lanka during the previous week and his views on the peace process in Sri Lanka. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi mentioned the recent visit till 19 May to Sri Lanka by the Representative of the Government of Japan Yasushi Akashi where he exchanged opinions with key players and expressed her wish to further strengthen cooperation with Norway. Having served as co-chairs at the Tokyo Conference on Reconstruction and Development of Sri Lanka, the ministers confirmed that they would continue to provide assistance for the peace process in line with the Tokyo Declaration on Reconstruction and Development of Sri Lanka. Both ministers also shared the view that while the peace process is stalled at the moment, they expect an early resumption of the negotiations with substantial progress. In addition, both foreign ministers also welcomed the commitments to the peace process from the new Sri Lankan government and its opposition force, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). While Foreign Minister Kawaguchi referred to the importance of Norway's contribution to the peace talks as a facilitator. Foreign Minister Petersen highly appreciated the central role played by Japan among the donor countries, such as the hosting of the Tokyo Conference. The foreign ministers confirmed that Japan and Norway would cooperate as co-chairs of the Tokyo Donor Conference with a view to secure firm support from the international community for peace process in Sri Lanka.
4. Myanmar
The two foreign ministers shared a common view that all the relevant parties should participate as soon as possible in the National Convention of Myanmar reconvened on May 17.
5. North Korea
Two days prior to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to North Korea, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi gave an account of Japan's basic position of seeking a comprehensive resolution on the abductions, as well as nuclear and missile issues. Specifically on the issue of abduction. She also explained on the situation in detail where the abduction had taken place, as well as when the North Korean side admitted that the cases of abductions exist. Foreign Minister Petersen expressed his understanding and support for the position of Japan.
6. Iraq
Foreign Minister Kawaguchi provided an overview of the discussions during the
G8 Foreign Ministers' Meeting and explained the position of Japan on this
matter. Foreign Minister Petersen in response explained Norway's position. The
two foreign ministers shared a common recognition of the importance of
involvement in Iraq, just as transfer of full sovereignty to the Iraqi people
was taking place.
Foreign Minister Petersen explained the difficulty of long-term dispatch of its
military units to overseas countries with the limited size of the Norwegian
military forces and, in this respect, the withdrawal of its military unit from
Iraq except for staff officers according to its original plan due to
strengthening of assistance to Afghanistan and rotation of units within Europe.
Foreign Minister Kawaguchi commented that while she understood the situation,
Japan expected Norway to continue its commitment to Iraq at the crucial moment
for Iraq. Foreign Minister Petersen assured Norway's continued commitment.
7. Afghanistan
Foreign Minister Kawaguchi briefed Japan's efforts on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants (DDR) and asked Norway's cooperation on this matter. In response, Foreign Minister Petersen noted that Norway recognized of the importance of assistance to Afghanistan including DDR. Both ministers shared a common view on the need to continue their assistance to Afghanistan for its successful reconstruction so as to set a good example to the world.
8. Official Development Assistance (ODA)
The two foreign ministers welcomed cooperation between Japan and Norway such as the Japan-Norway Seminar on The Roles of Civil Society in Peace Building and Development Co-operation and the Japan-Norway Aid Policy Consultation and agreed to continue their cooperation.
9. Others
Foreign Minister Petersen mentioned Norway's positions on European regional issues such as the EU enlargement. (Norway is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), but not of the European Union (EU).)
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