Japan's Diplomatic Objectives during ASEAN-Related Foreign Ministers' Meetings
July 20, 2011
Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeaki Matsumoto will represent Japan at a series of annual foreign ministerial meetings related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Indonesia this week. Below is an overview of key topics and what Japan will seek to address during the meetings that will bring together the foreign ministers of ASEAN's 10 member countries and other participants.
1. Japan's Position
< Significance of This Year's Meetings >
- The meetings will prepare the countries concerned for ASEAN-related Summit Meetings scheduled for November 2011, setting the general direction of summit discussions.
- Issues related to the regional situation, such as maritime security, North Korea, and Myanmar, will be high on the agenda.
< Key Points of Discussion >
(1) Important regional issues
a) Maritime security
Minister Matsumoto told at a press conference on July 15 that if tension rose in the high seas among countries concerned, it would certainly be something to be worried about. Japan hopes that tension will be alleviated rather than heightened, leaving various issues to peaceful solution by the international community. He expressed belief that it is desirable for these issues to be resolved eventually on the basis of international rules, including international law, adding that he would like to make this way of thinking known to other participants in the meetings.
Minister Matsumoto also said Japan was paying close attention to the fact that countries involved had made various comments on issues related to the South China Sea. In fact, he continued, some countries had mentioned that they were experiencing friction with other countries. He said this was a perception of the realities related to the current situation. As for what would actually be said, the minister said he would carefully listen to and confirm what the countries concerned have to say about it, adding that Japan would then make its case.
b) North Korea
Referring to North Korea's nuclear issue, Minister Matsumoto reiterated that Japan would not seek dialogue for dialogue's sake. He said North Korea needs to show its will to take specific actions to move the issue forward. He also said he would appeal for unwavering solidarity among Japan, the U.S. and the Republic of Korea (ROK) so that they would convey to North Korea their message that they want North Korea to respond with concrete actions or make some specific moves. The minister added that Japan would like to move forward North Korea's nuclear issue and, especially for this country, the abduction issue.
(2) Promotion of regional cooperation centered on ASEAN
a) Cooperation for disaster prevention
During the press conference, Minister Matsumoto referred to the Special ASEAN-Japan Ministerial Meeting held at the proposal of ASEAN on April 9, 2011. He said the two sides, which affirmed solidarity in times of disasters at the meeting, also confirmed the need for cooperation in disaster response and prevention to safeguard people's lives, which he called the lynchpin of the function of politics. He expressed hope that Japan would share perception with other participants on the need to work out specifics of cooperation in this area.
b) Promotion of ASEAN's connectivity
Minister Matsumoto said he expected the meetings to discuss the strengthening of ASEAN's connectivity and the building of foundations for achieving the development of ASEAN countries as a whole. He added Japan would make a point that a productive partnership should be maintained in future as well.
2. Main Points of Each Meeting
(1) ASEAN+3 Foreign Ministers' Meeting (July 21, morning)
The meeting is expected to confirm progress in working-level cooperation centered on the economic sector, such as the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilaterization and the establishment of the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO).
As for the Great East Japan Earthquake, Japan will brief participants on the latest situation while there will be a report on activities of the Working Group on Disaster Prevention of the Network of East Asian Think-Tanks (NEAT).
(2) ASEAN-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting (July 21, morning)
The meeting is intended to lay the groundwork for the EAS in November. It will discuss the promotion of cooperation in disaster prevention in follow-up to the Special ASEAN-Japan Ministerial Meeting held in April, support for ASEAN connectivity, and a joint declaration and an action plan.
(3) Japan-Mekong Foreign Ministers' Meeting (July 21, afternoon)
The meeting will follow up on cooperation detailed in the "Mekong-Japan Action Plan 63." Specifically, key topics will include comprehensive development of the Mekong region, response to environmental issues and climate change, overcoming vulnerability to disasters, infectious diseases, food security, expansion of cooperation and exchanges, and investment promotion through public-private sector cooperation.
(4) Friends of Lower Mekong Ministerial Meeting (July 22, afternoon)
High on the agenda will be ways of cooperation for development of the lower Mekong region between regional countries and donor nations, including the U.S., and the strengthening of cooperation among the relevant countries and international organizations (ADB and World Bank) involved in Mekong region development. Specific issues of cooperation will cover the following four areas: (1) Education (improving Internet environment in rural areas, etc.), (2) Public health (AIDS, malaria, TB, etc.), (3) Environment (management of Mekong River water resources, etc.), and (4) Infrastructure (assisting towards soft-infrastructure such as capacity building).
(5) EAS Foreign Ministers' Consultation (July 22, afternoon)
The foreign ministers of the U.S. and Russia are scheduled to participate for the first time in the meeting. The meeting will seek to affirm common ideas and rules of regional affairs, including security, and to turn the EAS into a forum for EAS leaders to discuss regional issues of common interest. Specific topics will include maritime security (respect for common rules regarding the sea). The meeting will also propose to strengthen cooperation in political, security and other areas, building on the past efforts; among key topics will be a nonproliferation regime for maritime security, sharing of democratic values, disaster management, and improvement in the quality of economic growth (low-carbon growth, etc.).
(6) ARF Ministerial Meeting (July 23, afternoon)
The meeting will be an opportunity to send the following message directly to North Korea: expressing concern over its uranium enrichment program and encouraging North Korea's specific action to resume the Six-Party Talks. Japan will appeal for the importance of resolving the abduction issue. Other main topics will include issues concerning the South China Sea and the promotion of cooperation in disaster relief based on experience in the Great East Japan Earthquake.
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