Visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan
by Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs
(Overview and Evaluation)
August 11, 2010
I. Overview
Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan from Friday, August 6, to Wednesday, August 11. He attended the Third Foreign Ministers' Meeting within the framework of the "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue, held bilateral foreign ministers' meetings with his counterparts in Central Asia, and paid courtesy calls to presidents and other leading figures of the two countries he visited. An overview of the results of the visit is provided below.
1. "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue: Third Foreign Ministers' Meeting (August 7, afternoon)
The Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Saturday, August 7, and was attended by Foreign Minister Okada and the foreign ministers of Central Asian countries (only Turkmenistan was represented by its ambassador to Uzbekistan). An active exchange of views took place for approximately two hours.
(Agenda 1)
Regarding "each country's efforts toward regional peace and stability, and cooperation among them," an active exchange of views took place on the issues of terrorism and narcotics which still threaten the region, the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia which came into force in 2009, the situation in the Kyrgyz Republic, the situation in Afghanistan, and other matters.
(Agenda 2)
Regarding "each country's efforts toward regional economic development and prosperity, and cooperation among them," various discussions were held on the development of logistics and transportation infrastructures which will form the basis of the regional development, efforts for the promotion of trade and investment between Japan and Central Asia, regional environmental issues, including the Aral Sea problem, climate change, and the rational use of water resources.
On forthcoming meetings, it was decided that the Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) and the Foreign Ministers' Meeting will respectively be held in Japan in 2011 and 2012.
A report on each country's progress regarding the "Action Plan" adopted at the Second Foreign Ministers' Meeting, as well as a Joint Press Release (Annex), were issued after the meeting's conclusion.
2. Bilateral foreign ministers' meetings with Central Asian countries
(1) Japan-Uzbekistan foreign ministers' meeting (August 7, early afternoon) Foreign Minister Okada and Mr. Vladimir Norov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, exchanged views on strengthening bilateral economic relations, such as economic cooperation, investment promotion, and development of the investment environment, as well as the regional and international situation, including the situation in Afghanistan and the recent situation in the Kyrgyz Republic. In addition, the two ministers agreed to continue their cooperation in the international arena.
(2) Japan-Kazakhstan foreign ministers' meeting (August 9, afternoon) Foreign Minister Okada and Mr. Kanat Saudabayev, Secretary of State - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, exchanged views on bilateral relations, focusing on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, promotion of activities of Japanese companies in the field of natural resources, including rare earth, and expanding Japanese trade and investment. In addition, the two ministers agreed to cooperate on global issues, including nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and reform of the United Nations Security Council.
(3) Japan-Tajikistan foreign ministers' meeting (August 7, afternoon) Foreign Minister Okada and Mr. Hamrokhon Zarifi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, exchanged views on bilateral relations, including economic cooperation, the regional and international situation, the modalities for cooperation aimed at the stabilization and reconstruction of Afghanistan, and other matters. In addition, the two ministers agreed to continue their cooperation in the international arena.
(4) Japan-Kyrgyz Republic foreign ministers' meeting (August 8, morning) Foreign Minister Okada and Mr. Ruslan Kazakbaev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, exchanged views on the situation in the Kyrgyz Republic and the modalities for cooperation aimed at its reconstruction, as well as bilateral relations, including economic cooperation, the regional and international situation, and other matters. In addition, the two ministers agreed to continue their cooperation in the international arena.
3. Courtesy calls to presidents and other leading figures of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan
(1) Courtesy call to President Karimov of Uzbekistan (August 8, morning) Foreign Minister Okada received a detailed explanation from President Islam Karimov on his views with regard to the bilateral relations, including economic cooperation, as well as the regional and international situation, in particular, the situation in the Kyrgyz Republic and the situation in Afghanistan. Afterwards, the two sides exchanged views on these issues and confirmed that they would continue their cooperation in the international arena. Furthermore, the two sides agreed that they would make preparations so that the bilateral relations will be strengthened with the visit to Japan by the President, scheduled to take place during this fiscal year.
(2) Courtesy call to President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan (August 10, morning) President Nursultan Nazarbayev expressed appreciation for Japan's assistance extended to the former nuclear test site of Semipalatinsk and areas surrounding the Aral Sea. In addition, Foreign Minister Okada and President Nazarbayev exchanged views on economic cooperation, including the development of regional logistics networks, and the further promotion of closer cooperative ties for the development of mutually beneficial economic relations with Kazakhstan, a country rich in natural resources. The two sides also exchanged views on the global economy following the financial crisis, the social and economic issues of the two countries, the regional and international situation, and cooperation in the international arena.
(3) Courtesy call to Prime Minister Massimov of Kazakhstan (August 10, morning) Foreign Minister Okada and Prime Minister Karim Massimov exchanged views on bilateral economic relations, including cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, advancing bilateral cooperation in the development of mineral resources, including uranium and rare earth, and cooperation aimed at expanding bilateral trade and investment. In addition, the two sides exchanged views on the global economy following the financial crisis and the social and economic issues of the two countries.
4. Others
In addition to the above meetings, Foreign Minister Okada exchanged views with members of Japanese companies and staff involved in Japan's economic cooperation programs there. He also visited economic cooperation sites.
II. Evaluation
1. Confirmation of usefulness of the framework at "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue and Japan's increased presence in Central Asia
The Foreign Ministers' Meeting within the framework of the "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue was held for the first time in four years since the Tokyo meeting in 2006. The level of enthusiasm and support from the countries was impressive, with foreign ministers from four of the five Central Asian countries attending the meeting. The meeting reconfirmed that the "resumption" of the dialogue was highly appreciated and that Japan has an important role in promoting intra-regional cooperation through the dialogue.
Furthermore, the visit to Central Asia by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan--the first in six years since the visit by then Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi in 2004--resulted in high-level political dialogue with each of the countries. Courtesy calls to the presidents were realized in both Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. At individual meetings with the foreign ministers who participated in the Foreign Ministers' Meeting, a candid exchange of views took place on topics such as the regional and international situation. Through such meetings, it was revealed that Central Asian countries have high expectations from Japan. At the same time, Japan was able to clearly demonstrate its commitment toward continuing to actively stay engaged in the region, and therefore, increase Japan's presence in Central Asia.
2. Advancement of resource and energy diplomacy and promotion of trade and investment
The visit to Central Asia by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and the bilateral meetings served to enhance the relations of trust between Japan and the Central Asian countries, which are rich in mineral and energy resources that are increasing in importance in recent years, including uranium, rare metal, and rare earth. In addition, a candid exchange of views took place with a view to developing a favorable investment environment in the countries. The results are expected to be fruitful for advancing Japan's resource and energy diplomacy and promoting trade and investment in the region.
3. Confirmation of cooperation in the international arena
At individual meetings with the foreign ministers of Central Asian countries and courtesy calls to the presidents, and other leading figures of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, an exchange of views took place on global issues, such as reform of the UN Security Council, climate change, and nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Japan was able to reconfirm strong support for Japan's policies on these issues.
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