Japan-Georgia Relations

Minister Kono expressed his pleasure of becoming the first Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan to visit Georgia, stated that Georgia is an important partner that shares with Japan fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and conveyed hishope to continue to cooperate with Georgia’s new administration, which is led by H.E. Mr. Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia. Minister Zalkaliani welcomed Minister Kono’s visit to Georgia, and stated that he would make every effort to further strengthen the bilateral relationship.

Minister Kono stated that the Caucasus region is a gateway connecting Asia and Europe, andexpressed Japan’s willingness to cooperate for self-sustained developments of this region. Minister Kono also explained to the Georgian side the “Japan’s Caucasus Initiative”, which comprises the two pillars: (1) assistance for human resources development of architects for state building (human resources development); and (2) assistance for paving the way to “Appealing Caucasus” (infrastructure development and business environmentimprovement support), and expressed expectation towards the future development of the cooperative relations between the two countries in the future. In this context, Minister Kone informed Japan’s decision to ease visa requirements for nationals of Georgia (beginning of insurance of multiple entry visas for short-term stay.). In response, Minister Zalkaliani expressed his appreciations of the “Japan’s Caucasus Initiative” as a plan consistent with the Georgia’s policy priorities for its development, and stated that Georgia would work together with Japan. Moreover, Minister Kono welcomed the fact his pleasure that the negotiations of the bilateral investment treaty between Japan and Georgia reached an agreement in principle at political level and expressed his expectation that the prompt conclusion of the investment agreement would lead to the expansion of Japanese investment in Georgia.

The two sides exchanged views on cooperation in the international fora such as United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform and “GUAM plus Japan” frame work.

Following the conclusion of the foreign ministers’ meeting, the two foreign ministers held a signing ceremony for an exchange of notes concerning the East-West Highway Improvement Project (Phase II) yen loan, and they also held a joint press announcement.