Press Conferences
Press Conference by Deputy Press Secretary Naoko Saiki
Thursday, March 28, 2013, 1:30 p.m. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
I. Seventh Japan-India Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue
Deputy Press Secretary Ms. Naoko Saiki: Good afternoon. I would like to start with several announcements before taking questions.
Ms. Saiki: First, on the Seventh Japan-India Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue. On March 26, Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida held the Seventh Japan-India Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue with External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid of India, who is visiting Japan. The two foreign ministers noted with satisfaction that consultation and cooperation has been steadily developing between the two countries in the political and security field, and agreed to further promote cooperation in particular through the bilateral political dialogue at vice-ministerial level, the Two-Plus-Two Dialogue, and the Japan-India-US Trilateral Dialogue. Foreign Minister Kishida expressed hope for holding the second meeting of maritime affairs dialogue as well as the second round of cyber security consultation within this year. Moreover, they concurred on the deepening of bilateral defense cooperation through joint exercises and on the importance of student-youth exchanges. On economic cooperation, notes concerning four yen loan projects to the amount of 220 billion Japanese yen were signed and exchanged. Separately, Minister Kishida expressed the intention of the Government of Japan to provide India with loans of 71 billion yen for the construction of an underground railway in Mumbai. In response, External Affairs Minister Khurshid expressed his deepest gratitude. With respect to civilian nuclear energy cooperation between the two countries, the two ministers confirmed to continue discussions. Furthermore, they were able to exchange views on regional issues including China, North Korea, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka and agreed to further enhance the Japan-India Strategic and Global Partnership on these issues.
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid also paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the same day.
II. Japan-EU Summit Telephone Talks
Ms. Saiki: Second, on Japan-EU Summit Telephone Talks. At my previous press conference, I announced that the 21st Summit Meeting between Japan and the European Union would be held on March 25 in Tokyo. Actually, the meeting was postponed due to the financial situation of Cyprus. Following the postponement of the summit meeting, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso spoke by telephone on March 25. The leaders shared the view that Japan and the EU, global partners sharing common values, should lift their relations onto a higher, more strategic plane and make them more enduring. They committed themselves to step up their common interests toward that goal. The three leaders decided to launch negotiations for an agreement covering political, global, and sectoral cooperation and an Economic Partnership Agreement or Free Trade Agreement based on the shared views on the scope and level of ambition arrived at the scoping exercises. They welcomed the start of the negotiations in April this year and expressed their commitment to the earliest possible conclusion of these two agreements. They affirmed their continued global engagement in enhancing strong sustainable and balanced growth in securing the financial stability of the world economy. Moreover, the leaders exchanged opinions on bilateral cooperation and regional issues, including the security environment of East Asia, the Middle East, and the Sahel.
III. Meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida and European Commissioner for Trade Karel de Gucht
Ms. Saiki: Third, on a related topic, namely on a meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida and European Commissioner for Trade Karel de Gucht. On March 25, they held the meeting in Tokyo. In fact, European Commissioner for Trade de Gucht is visiting Tokyo. In his opening remarks, Minister Kishida expressed his regret that the visit of the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission was postponed but expressed his expectation to cooperate with the Commissioner in furthering Japan-EU economic relations including promoting a Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement. In response, Commissioner de Gucht expressed his apology that the presidents’ visit had not taken place. He also explained that a solution has been announced to assist Cyprus. With respect to the Japan-EU EPA, the Commissioner mentioned that the EU appreciated Japan’s cooperation to launch the negotiations and that a trustworthy relationship had been established between the EU and Japan and then expressed his desire to continue to cooperate with Japan in realizing the early conclusion of an ambitious and comprehensive EPA.
IV. Visit by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Mongolia
Ms. Saiki: Fourth, on a visit by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Mongolia. He will visit Ulan Bator, Mongolia, if circumstances permit, on March 30 and 31. Prime Minister Abe will meet with President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj and Prime Minister Norovyn Altankhuyag of Mongolia in order to discuss bilateral issues as well as regional and international issues. Last year, Japan and Mongolia celebrated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Both governments have been working toward the construction of the strategic partnership. It is expected that Prime Minister Abe’s visit this time will lend impetus to further promoting Japan-Mongolia cooperation toward realizing the Japan-Mongolia Strategic Partnership.
V. Third Round of negotiations on the Japan-Mongolia Economic Partnership Agreement
Ms. Saiki: Fifth, on the Third Round of negotiations on the Japan-Mongolia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The Third Round of negotiations on the Japan-Mongolia Economic Partnership Agreement will be held from April 2 to 5 in Ulan Bator, Mongolia. The Japanese delegation will be led by Mr. Jun Yokota, Ambassador in charge of Economic Diplomacy, and the Mongolian delegation will be led by Mr. Ochirbat Chuluunbat, Vice-Minister for Economic Development of Mongolia. Experts from relevant ministries and agencies of both countries will participate. In meetings it is scheduled to discuss in such areas as trade in goods, trade in services, rules of origin, customs procedures, investment, intellectual properties, competition, cooperation, and improvement of business environment.
With these initial announcements, I would be happy to take questions. The floor is open. Are there no questions? Then I will conclude today’s conference. Thank you.