Speech by Mr. Takeshi IWAYA,
Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs
at the Ministerial Council of the OSCE
December 5, 2006
Japanese
Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my great honor to be present here at the 2006 OSCE Ministerial Council in Brussels.
Japan, as a partner country, shares fundamental values such as democracy, basic human rights and rule of law with the OSCE and its members. Japan established the institutional framework of dialogue with the then CSCE in 1992, which has later developed into the OSCE. Since then, it took part in a wide range of OSCE activities, such as election monitoring, Permanent Council meetings and expert workshops. It has also strengthened its policy dialogue with the OSCE. The OSCE is working under the concept of comprehensive security. This concept sees security not only from politico-military point of view, but also from human dimension, economic and environmental viewpoint. Japan shares this approach and highly regards OSCE's role and its activities under such concept. As we meet here at 2006 OSCE Ministerial Council, Japan would like to commend the leadership shown throughout this year by its Chairman, His Excellency, The Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium, Mr. Karel De Gught.
This year, Asian partner countries including Japan focused on the "human security" concept. Last April in Bangkok, Thai-OSCE conference met to discuss issues of poverty and infectious diseases. These issues form an important part of "human security". To follow up this conference, Asian partner countries took the joint initiative to hold a presentation session on the "human security" concept during the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting held in October in Warsaw. In many OSCE missions, regional projects focusing on community development are held with the human security viewpoint. We will work for a wider understanding on the "human security" concept among the OSCE member countries by strengthening dialogues and formulating projects, cooperating with the OSCE members and partners.
I understand that a series of proposals to strengthen effectiveness of the OSCE will be adopted at this Council in a few hours time this afternoon. Like other international organizations, OSCE is working to respond effectively to rapidly changing international situation, through improvement of its structure and management. At the same time, in the OSCE, 56 participating States discuss various issues of common interest on equal footing to overcome differences of opinions through consensus, based on common values. Asia can learn from such process of the OSCE.
In Asia, many uncertainties remain in its security environment. It is mutually beneficial that the OSCE participating States also deepen their understanding on the security environment in this region. Such uncertainties were dramatically demonstrated in the recent development regarding North Korea. The security environment in East Asia including Japan was sharply worsened by North Korea's missile launches in July and nuclear test on October 9. Non-proliferation regime with the NPT at its core is facing a grave challenge. Transfer of nuclear materials from North Korea has become a serious concern. Needless to say, this is also an alarming situation for Europe. Through rapid and steady implementation of Security Council Resolution 1718, the international community should jointly urge North Korea to take measures to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs as well as missile programs and WMD, in accordance with this resolution.
After North Korea's nuclear test, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office immediately issued a statement condemning the test, and the issue was also discussed at the Permanent Council meeting. This shows clearly that OSCE shares the security concern with partner countries including Japan. Japan highly appreciates these responses from the OSCE. In addition to the issues of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, Japan also hopes to obtain cooperation from the international community towards the resolution of the issue of abduction by North Korea, which is grave violation of fundamental human rights.
Exchanges between Asia and the OSCE should be reciprocal. Dialogues between the OSCE and ARF are therefore important. Japan is willing to offer further opportunities for such dialogues, cooperating with partners in Asia.
Both Japan and the OSCE attach importance to stability and prosperity of Central Asia as well as other former Soviet Union countries such as Ukraine. Japan pays tribute to the OSCE's significant role in assisting the democratization process in these regions and has been cooperating with this organization. Japan sent appropriate persons to participate in the OSCE election monitoring teams for Ukrainian parliamentary election, Belarusian presidential election in March and Tajikistan's presidential election in November.
In this connection, Japan held the 2nd foreign ministerial meeting of "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue in Tokyo last June. In this meeting, we adopted the "Action Plan" to promote regional cooperation. We are now working for its implementation, together with the Central Asian countries. In supporting Central Asia's efforts toward democratization, respect for human rights and promotion of market economy, I believe there should be some areas where Japan and OSCE can cooperate with each other.
Japan also highly values the OSCE contribution to stability in the Caucasus area. We commend especially the role recently played by Minister De Gucht as the OSCE Chairman-in-Office in the international efforts to settle the issue relating to Georgia.
Japan and the OSCE both have interest in consolidation of peace and economic development in the Western Balkans. We have provided more than 1.1 billion dollars to Western Balkan countries from 1991 to present. Japan highly values OSCE activities in this region and actively supported its effort. We have sent personnel to the OSCE election monitoring missions to Kosovo and Bosnia. Japanese officials are working for the OSCE Mission in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Kosovo. Japan will continue to cooperate with the OSCE on its effort for the peace and stability of the Western Balkans.
I hope the activities of the OSCE, under the next Chairman Foreign Minister Moratinos of Spain, will develop, in order to respond effectively to security challenges we face. As for Japan, we will continue to closely cooperate with the OSCE in its constant process of evolution.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Back to Index
