Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 1 April 2010

G8 Foreign Ministers' Meeting
International Conference towards a New Future for Haiti
12th International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting
VIP Visits

G8 Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Press Secretary Hidenobu Sobashima: Good afternoon. Today I have several topics, including the G8 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Foreign Minister Okada's participation in the Haiti Aid Conference, and some information on visits.

The first is the G8 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, held in Canada on 30 March. As shown on our homepage, there were several statements issued in Canada. If you look at the Canadian Chair's Statement, you will notice such remarks as, "G8 foreign ministers applauded the conclusion of negotiations between the United States and the Russian Federation to reduce further their nuclear arsenals", and also "ministers were of the view that the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington in April will be an important opportunity to promote the security of nuclear materials".

As for Iran, the G8 foreign ministers expressed concern over the current situation, and if you look at the second page you will notice these sentences: "Ministers urged in the strongest possible terms that Iran cooperate fully with the IAEA and comply with relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. In the context of the dual track approach, ministers agreed to remain open to dialogue, and also reaffirmed the need to take appropriate and strong steps to demonstrate international resolve to uphold the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and persuade Iran to build greater international confidence in the peaceful nature of its nuclear program". There is also a reference to human rights in Iran.

As for North Korea, "ministers urged North Korea to return to the Six-Party Talks without pre-condition, and to fulfill its commitments, including the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula". The ministers called also on North Korea to address the concerns of the international community about the human rights situation, including the abduction issue.

As for terrorism, the ministers issued a separate statement to condemn the terrorist attacks on the Moscow subway. But in general terms the discussions were recorded in the Chair's Statement as well.

G8 ministers also discussed such issues as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, and Haiti. As for Haiti, they urged all donors to be generous in their support for Haiti at the international conference which would take place in New York on 31 March 2010, the next day.

They also discussed the issues of Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and others. As for Burma/Myanmar, they expressed "concern about the recently adopted restrictive electoral law. They called for the elections planned for 2010 to be transparent, fully inclusive, free and fair. They also called on the Government of Burma/Myanmar to enable full democratic participation in the upcoming election and to release all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, whose continued detention would undermine the credibility of the elections." They also discussed Sudan.

Now on the G8 Foreign Ministers' Statement on Nuclear Non-Proliferation, Disarmament and Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, I would like to highlight some points. The first is the ministers unequivocal support for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). They committed to seeking a safer world for all and to creating the conditions for a world without nuclear weapons. They referred to the "principle of irreversibility, as well as increased transparency, in a way that promotes international stability and undiminished security for all, in the process of working toward the elimination of nuclear weapons." They welcomed the conclusion of negotiations, as I already mentioned at the beginning, of the United States and the Russian Federation on Measures for Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, and they also welcomed the concrete disarmament actions taken by France and the United Kingdom.

The ministers referred to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), the negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT), the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA), peaceful uses of nuclear energy, the prevention of nuclear terrorism, and the importance of the upcoming Nuclear Security Summit, as I already mentioned, among others.

As for Iran, as I already explained in the context of the Chair's Statement, the ministers' statement itself says, "We reiterate our serious concerns about the proliferation risks posed by Iran's nuclear program, and underscore the importance of Iran's full and immediate compliance with its international obligations".

As for North Korea, the statement says, "We also strongly urge North Korea to return to the Six-Party Talks without pre-condition, and to fulfill its commitments, including the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in accordance with the September 2005 Joint Statement".

Sorry for repeating what I already said, but those references are actually in the Ministers' Statement.

The next paper is the G8 Foreign Ministers' Statement on Afghanistan. They expressed their "commitment to support Afghanistan on its road to peace and stability". I refrain from explaining further.

Finally, the paper entitled "G8 Foreign Ministers Condemn Moscow Terrorist Attacks". It says, "G8 foreign ministers today strongly condemned the cowardly terrorist attacks on the Moscow subway that took place earlier this morning," that is 30 March, "and which have killed numerous innocent civilians and injured dozens more." I will refrain from reading the rest of the document. In this connection I would like to add that as for the terrorist attacks on the Moscow subway, Prime Minister Hatoyama sent a message of condolences to Russian President Medvedev, and Foreign Minister Okada in Canada expressed his condolences to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov. As we noted, the G8 Foreign Ministers collectively condemned the terrorist attacks. Regrettably, yesterday, there were further terrorist attacks in the Russian North Caucasus republic of Dagestan. The Government of Japan strongly condemns all terrorist attacks, including those I mentioned.

On the occasion of the G8 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Foreign Minister Okada had bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Canada, Germany, Russia, and the United States, just for your information.

International Conference towards a New Future for Haiti

Mr. Sobashima: The second topic is the donor meeting for Haiti held yesterday. Foreign Minister Okada delivered a statement around midday in New York yesterday, 31 March, that is early this morning, 1 April, in Japan. The Foreign Minister explained that he himself visited Haiti ten days ago, and he felt sorry for the gravity of the devastation and the agony of the victims of the earthquake. He said that at the same time, he was impressed by the determination and efforts of the people who were working for Haiti's recovery and reconstruction. During his visit, he said, he realized that what Haiti urgently needs are the removal of debris, and with the rainy season approaching, the construction of shelters and prevention of the spread of infectious diseases.

So far, the Japan Disaster Relief Team has extended medical care services and an engineering unit of Japan's Self-Defense Force, which participates in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), has been removing debris. He announced that in addition Japan will construct about 9,000 shelters and provide assistance against infectious diseases for about 3 million people, including vaccinations for mothers and children. To implement this assistance, Japan will contribute an additional 30 million dollars, in addition to the already committed 70 million dollars. So this is a new commitment announced by the Foreign Minister. He also said that Japan welcomes the recent decision of the Inter-American Development Bank to waive the debt of Haiti, and Japan is prepared to make an appropriate contribution in connection with this.

He emphasized the importance of ownership for the Haiti government, while appreciating the submission of the Action Plan for the Reconstruction and National Development of Haiti by the Government of Haiti.

He also announced that Japan will dispatch disaster prevention experts and will establish a field office of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Haiti.

These are the main points of Foreign Minister Okada's statement.

12th International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting

Mr. Sobashima: Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Masayuki Naoshima, as well as our State Secretary, Koichi Takemasa, participated in the 12th International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting, and as a result a ministerial declaration was issued on the stable supply of energy. I refrain from going into the details of the statement, but you will be able to read it perhaps through the website of the International Energy Agency (IEA), I believe.

These are the topics.

Related Information (Energy)

VIP Visits

Mr. Sobashima: As for visits I have two pieces of news. The first is the visit of the King of Jordan. His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, will officially visit Japan today, 1 April, and tomorrow, 2 April. During the King's stay in Japan, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress will invite the King for luncheon at the Imperial Palace. The King will also meet with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama to exchange views on the bilateral relations and regional issues including the Middle East peace process.

This is the first one, and the second is the visit to Japan of The Honourable Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia. The Malaysian Prime Minister will be visiting Japan from 18 April to 21 April. The Prime Minister is accompanied by his wife, and they will be received in audience by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan. The Malaysian Prime Minister will also have a meeting with Prime Minister Hatoyama.

These are the pieces of information on visits I would like to share today.

Thank you very much.

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