Top > Economic Affairs > G7/G8 > Kananaskis Summit > Outline of Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers Meeting at Whistler

Outline of Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers Meeting at Whistler

June 13, 2002

On 12 June, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi of Japan and Minister for Foreign Affairs Igor Sergeyevich Ivanov of the Russian Federation met in Whistler, Canada. The following is an outline of the meeting.

1. MAIN POINTS

(1) Reaffirmation of Basic Policies of Japan-Russia Relations

  1. Both sides agreed to develop the relationship in a wide range of areas, including the conclusion of a peace treaty, cooperation in economic and cultural spheres, and cooperation in the international arena.
  2. Regarding the conclusion of a peace treaty, both sides reaffirmed past achievements such as the Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration of 1956, the Tokyo Declaration on Japan-Russia relations, and the Irkutsk Statement, and agreed to continue negotiations on the basis of these achievements.

(2) Revitalization of Political Dialogue

  1. Both sides agreed to revitalize Japan-Russia political dialogue, and shared the view that the meeting of leaders of both countries at the Kananaskis Summit is an important first step.
  2. The Russian side reconfirmed its invitation to Foreign Minister Kawaguchi for a visit to Russia. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi accepted the invitation. The timing of the visit will be coordinated at the working level. It was agreed that the next Vice Ministerial Consultations will be held in Tokyo, and timing will be coordinated. It was confirmed that the consultation would lead to preparations for the Prime Minister's visit to Russia.

(3) International Issues

Both sides agreed that regarding international issues, the Foreign Ministers would conduct frequent telephone conversations, and that consultations would be made more closely by enlivening contacts between experts. At the meeting, views were exchanged on the issues of the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol and the Middle East peace process.

(4) Youth Exchange and the Japan-Russia Youth Exchange Center

Both sides recognized that youth exchange is important, and that the Japan Centers are beneficial toward Russia's transition to a market economy.

2. SPECIFIC TOPICS


(1) Overall Japan-Russia Relations

  1. The Russian side opened by thanking the Japanese side for its endeavors toward the rescue of Border Administration Agency Yuzhno-Sakhalink representative Rear Admiral Gamov.
  2. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi said, regarding the basic policies of the bilateral relations, the Government of Japan intends to further develop bilateral relations in a wide range of areas, including the conclusion of a peace treaty, cooperation in economic and cultural spheres, and cooperation in the international arena, and there is a need to sustain momentum for it. In response, Foreign Minister Ivanov stated that culture is one of the priority areas, and pointed out the necessity of strengthening economic cooperation. In addition he remarked that Russia needs Japan's participation in developing cooperation with the countries in the Asia Pacific region. As for economic cooperation Foreign Minister Kawaguchi pointed out measures recently taken by the Japanese side such as relaxation of conditions for granting trade and investment insurance, the commencement of two-step loans by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), and progress of the Sakhalin Projects as recent developments in this area.
  3. Regarding the conclusion of a peace treaty, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi praised Foreign Minister Ivanov for expressing a stance to seriously undertake negotiations on the conclusion of a peace treaty at the State Duma on 13 March. She then pointed out the importance of both Japan and Russia calling upon their publics in this regard. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi added that Japan intends to continue vigorous negotiation, while building upon past achievements such as the Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration of 1956, the Tokyo Declaration, and the Irkutsk Statement. Foreign Minister Ivanov responded that Russia shares such an approach, and affirmed that this issue would be discussed through consultations at the vice-ministerial level as well as between the two foreign ministers.

(2) Political Dialogue

  1. Foreign Minister Ivanov extended an invitation to Foreign Minister Kawaguchi to visit Russia. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi responded that she herself would like to make the visit soon and that she would like the timing of the visit to be coordinated at the working level.
  2. Foreign Minister Ivanov mentioned that the pace of political dialogue between Japan and Russia has become sluggish lately, and that Russia intend to work to revitalize Japan-Russia political dialogue, also in order to avoid giving the false impression that two sides do not intend to promote political dialogue. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi responded that it is important to maintain the momentum of political dialogue, and pointed out the importance of summit diplomacy and conversation between leaders of both countries at the Kananaskis Summit.
  3. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated that the next vice ministerial consultations would be held in Tokyo, where Japan expects not only the issue of the conclusion of a peace treaty, but also a wide range of issues involving the Japan-Russia relations to be discussed, and wants the consultations to lead to preparations for the visit of Prime Minister Koizumi to Russia. Foreign Minister Ivanov accepted this approach, and added that Russia agrees in principle with the holding of the vice ministerial consultations, and will coordinate the timing.

(3) International Issues

  1. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated that Russia's ratification is indispensable to the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, and expressed Japan's wish for Russia's early ratification. Foreign Minister Ivanov responded that Russia would work as hard as possible toward early ratification.
  2. Given the recent Japan-Russia telephone conference and Foreign Minister Kawaguchi's visit to Israel and Palestine, the need for the international community to devote all efforts to the India-Pakistan situation and Middle East peace was recognized. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi explained that the international community's support of Palestinian reform would lead to a restoration of Israel's confidence in the Palestinians. Foreign Minister Ivanov remarked that Russia welcomes the role that Japan is playing in this area.
Back to Index