Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers' Meeting

November 24, 2011

(Japanese)

On November 11, 2011, Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba, on a visit to Honolulu, Hawaii, for the APEC Ministerial Meeting, met with Mr. Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

1. Japan-Russia Relations (Overview)

1. (1) Both sides concurred on the need to coordinate Minister Lavrov's visit to Japan at an early date.
2. (2) Minister Gemba said to the effect that Japan would welcome Russia's engagement in the Asia-Pacific region and that Japan would like to build an appropriate relationship with Russia as a partner in the region. In response, Minister Lavrov said the leaders of the two countries had agreed to cooperate in every area and that, in this respect, Russia appreciated the recent record of cooperation with Japan.

2. Cooperation in Asia-Pacific Region

Minister Gemba noted that Japan had rendered support to Russia for its joining the APEC forum and expressed Japan’s willingness to cooperate with Russia for the success of Vladivostok APEC in 2012. Minister Lavrov briefed him on the progress of preparations for the meetings. The two sides shared the view that the governments of Japan and Russia would cooperate for the success of the meetings.

3. Cooperation in Security Sector

Minister Gemba said that Japan and Russia had much common interest in the security area, adding that Japan would like to take advantage of bilateral dialogues in this area. In reply, Minister Lavrov expressed his consent, indicating intention to strengthen cooperation in the political and security areas. Furthermore, Minister Lavrov said to the effect that Russia had no intention of provoking Japan when it carried out military exercise recently and that Russia would like to build a close relationship between the defense authorities of the two countries to avoid misunderstanding.

4. Territorial Issues

With regard to the territorial issues, Minister Gemba said that Japan would like to proceed with substantial discussions based on the two countries' agreements and documents as well as the principles of law and justice. Both sides shared the perception that the two ministers would discuss the issue during Minister Lavrov’s visit to Japan.

5. Economic Relations

1. (1) Minister Gemba congratulated Russia on the virtual conclusion of negotiations for the country's accession to the WTO. The two foreign ministers shared the understanding that there were significant achievements at recent meetings of the Japan-Russia Advisory Council on Modernization of the Russian Economy and the Japan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Issues, and shared the view that the two countries would proceed with cooperation in the energy sector.
2. (2) The Russian side expressed hope for the early conclusion of a bilateral civilian nuclear power agreement.