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Joint Statement on Cooperation Between Japan and the Russian Federation on International Affairs

The Prime Minister of Japan and the President of the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as "both sides")

Affirming their observance of the Moscow Declaration on Establishing a Creative Partnership between Japan and the Russian Federation;

Attaching importance to the deepening of political dialogue based on trust between two countries;

Recognizing that promotion of constructive cooperation between Japan and the Russian Federation in the international arena to resolve issues in the international community is a vital aspect in building a bilateral partnership;

Declaring that such cooperation contributes to improving the predictability of the international situation and is not directed toward third countries or territories;

Affirming the importance of activating joint efforts to strengthen international peace and security based on the United Nations Charter, assuming their responsibility for the international community; and

Based on the similarity of their approaches to major international issues,

Declare as follows:

I. Global issues

  1. Both sides, in the spirit of creative partnership, make common efforts to form a new world order oriented toward the prevention of armed conflicts and the peaceful resolution of such conflicts, while maintaining the diversity of different states' national, spiritual, cultural and economic values based on the principles of mutual respect, equality and reciprocal cooperation. They also cooperate with the United Nations, which plays a central role in international peace and security.

  2. Both sides affirm that they maintain and strengthen further efforts by the international community toward stronger regimes for nuclear arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, including those at the regional level, and that they continue consultations toward this objective.

    Both sides welcome the adoption by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference of the final documents including further measures for nuclear disarmament.

    Both sides also support the need for the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) at the earliest date possible, and call upon those states which have either not signed or ratified the CTBT yet, particularly those whose ratification is required for the Treaty's entry into force, to do so without delay. Both sides look forward to the early entry into force and full implementation of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) II and to the conclusion of START III as soon as possible, while preserving and strengthening the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty as a cornerstone of strategic stability and as a basis for further reductions of strategic offensive weapons.

    Both sides affirm that they maintain and strengthen efforts in line with the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) toward the non-proliferation of missiles and missile technology. They also recognize the need to examine and promote further multilateral measures to curb missile proliferation. In this regard, both sides strongly support the important work of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and consider the proposal for a Global Monitoring System.

    Both sides stress the importance of boosting the efficiency and effectiveness of safeguards provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and express their conviction that the newly introduced measures contained in the additional protocols to the safeguards agreements will improve the detection capability of the IAEA in regard to undeclared nuclear materials and nuclear activities.

    Both sides work together to improve the transparency of arms transfers in order to prevent such excessive accumulation of weapons which could destabilize the region.

  3. Both sides express their intention to deepen concerted actions in regard to United Nations reforms with the goal of enhancing the capacity of the United Nations to act quickly and efficiently in response to requests from and challenges facing the current world. Both sides believe that within the context of United Nations reforms, further enhancing the role and authority of the Security Council through carrying out urgent reforms based on general agreement among member countries has a special status. The Russian Federation supports permanent membership of Japan, a candidate state, in the Security Council.

    Both sides affirm that they participate actively in discussion within the G8 Summit framework and contribute to the further development of cooperation among G8 members.

  4. Both sides enhance dialogue and cooperation on economic development issues. Both sides share the views as to the importance of the Russian Federation's integration into the international economic system, such as its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Government of Japan affirms its continued support for the reforms being conducted by the Russian Government, and expresses its intention to continue to actively promote technical and other forms of cooperation with Russia, including cooperation with the program on training for enterprises and the program on training public employees and executives. The Russian Federation commends and supports Japan's efforts toward overcoming the Asian financial and economic crisis as also having a positive impact on the economic situation in the Russian Federation.

  5. Both sides affirm the interdependence of socioeconomic development and environmental protection, as well as the need to deepen cooperation based on consideration for environmental protection toward the global-scale implementation of sustainable development policies. Both sides share the recognition that, in this context, the United Nations could play an even more important role in coordinating assistance intended to promote the development of developing countries and the integration of countries with economies in transition into the world economy.

    Both sides express their intention to work together to combat against climate change and other global environmental issues.

  6. Both sides endorse the comprehensive strengthening of international cooperation to combat against all forms of terrorism, including the adoption of feasible and effective measures for the prevention, suppression and elimination of terrorism, as well as the legal impeachment of those persons involved in preparations for or the execution of terrorist actions.

    Both sides welcome the adoption of the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, and affirm that this convention, together with other conventions related to the prevention of terrorism, will promote the expansion of an international legal base for cooperation related to resisting the threat of terrorism.

    Both sides also welcome the finalization of the draft United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and cooperate actively toward the completion of work on the three related protocols supplementing this convention within the year 2000.

    Both sides express their intention to continue their bilateral exchanges of views and other practical cooperation on combat against crime, particularly in the form of illicit trafficking in drugs and small arms and the poaching and smuggling of marine products.

II. The Asia-Pacific Region

  1. Both sides place top priority on security issues in the Asia-Pacific region, including Northeast Asia, and devote their utmost efforts to contributing constructively to confidence-enhancement and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as to greater situational predictability of the region.

    Both sides affirm their interest in participating more extensively in political dialogue and the economic development process in the Asia-Pacific region through multilateral frameworks.

  2. Both sides express their readiness to develop exchanges of views and cooperation on a wide range of issues related to regional security, utilizing existing bilateral contact and consultations, as well as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and other possibilities for cooperation within Asia-Pacific frameworks for multilateral dialogue.

    Both sides, considering that such efforts will accelerate economic development, improve the welfare level for the peoples of both countries, promote the deeper integration of the Russian Federation into the economic process of the Asia-Pacific region and the world economy, and the stability and optimization of the regional economy, express their intention to advance cooperation within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

    Both sides highly appreciate the role played by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), ARF, APEC and other regional frameworks in developing a favorable environment for securing stability, economic development and international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

    Japan takes note with understanding of the Russian Federation's wish to participate in Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) activities, and works with the Russian Federation to advance the process of resolving the participation issues.

  3. Both sides approve the strengthening of the non-proliferation regime for weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, and support the continuation of consultations between ASEAN and the nuclear powers toward the signature of the Protocol to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (SEANWFZ). Both sides note that nuclear weapon free zones may contribute to strengthening the NPT regime and achieving the goal of a nuclear-free world.

  4. Both sides share an awareness of the importance of reducing tension on the Korean Peninsula, and confirm their shared view that further progress in dialogue between the Republic of Korea and North Korea is desirable to this end. From this perspective, they welcome the results of the Inter-Korean Summit held in June 2000.

III. Regional Issues

  1. In regard to the Middle East peace process, both sides affirm their support for every effort to achieve a just, firm and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, based on UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, as well as the principles of the Madrid Conference, including the formula of "land for peace."

    Both sides express their strong support for progress in the peace process along all the negotiation tracks, including the multilateral track aimed at enhancing stability and promoting cooperation in the Middle East.

  2. In regard to Central Asia, both sides place top priority on improving the level of safety and stability in the Asian region, and support the idea of creating a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia, as well as efforts by countries in the region toward national, regional and world security.

In Tokyo, 5 September, 2000.

Yoshiro Mori
Prime Minister of Japan

Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin
President of the Russian Federation


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