New Edition of the Joint Compendium of Documents on the History of Territorial Issue between Japan and Russia
6. JAPAN-RUSSIA COOPERATION PROGRAM
on the Development of Joint Economic Activities
in the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan and Habomai
(Provisional Translation)
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Ryozo Kato, and Deputy Minister for foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, A. P. Losyukov, served as joint Chairs in a subcommittee on Joint Economic Activities in the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan and Habomai, established in accordance with Clause 2 of the Moscow Declaration of 13 November 1998 on Establishing a Creative Partnership between Japan and the Russian Federation, with the aim of elucidating what Joint Economic Activities could be implemented on the above-mentioned islands, based on the work conducted within the framework of the said subcommittee, confirm the following:
1. The gradual development of Joint Economic Activities in the islands will be advanced to strengthen mutual understanding and trust between Japan and the Russian Federation in this region, to create a favorable environment for the advancement of the negotiations between the two countries on a peace treaty, and to improve the overall atmosphere in the Japan-Russia relations.
2. Both sides consider as a possible form of future Joint Economic Activities cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including the reproduction and aquaculture of marine living resources, and fishery operations processing.
3. As a means of putting Joint Economic Activities on track, based on the Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Russian Federation on some matters of cooperation in the filed of fishing operations for marine living resources, signed on 21 February 1998 (hereinafter referred to as "the Agreement"), it is appropriate for purpose to realize cooperation in the areas relating to the reproduction of marine living resources in the islands. Currently, this joint work may encompass, as a possible form, the cultivation of sea urchin roe and shellfish.
4. Japan-Russia cooperation in the area of reproduction of marine living resources will be implemented in accordance with Article 1 of the Agreement.
Joint Economic Activities in the areas of reproduction of marine living resources will be implemented in the sea areas, specified in the annex of the Agreement.
The progress of this cooperation will be reviewed in the meetings of a subcommittee on Joint Economic Activities. With regard to the issue of the swift formulation of a document pertaining to the cultivation of sea urchin roe and shellfish, active study will be continued in working groups within the framework of this subcommittee.
5. Cooperation in the areas of reproduction of marine living resources within the framework of this program should not be deemed as to prejudice the legal positions of either side in any related issues.
4 September 2000, Tokyo
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan
Ryozo Kato
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
A. P. Losyukov
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