Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs: I have just completed my visit to the Srebrenica Memorial Gallery. The gallery is a memorial in remembrance of the Srebrenica massacre back in 1995. The message is very clear; such an event shall never be repeated. I heard the story of a man who miraculously survived the massacre, only to find the bodies of his dead family members. Testimonies like this impress on me the fact that the horrific memories of the conflict remain fresh and vivid in the hearts of those affected even today, 30 years after the event.

When the Balkans went through this tragic conflict in the 1990s, the Cold War had just ended and hopes for peace were high in Europe. Ever since, we all thought that we have taken the lessons of the Balkans to heart. We all thought that we have made every single step and that we were steadily walking on the pathway for peace. Nevertheless, the international order is today once again challenged by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and rising tensions in East Asia.

Under these circumstances, standing here today in Sarajevo, I cannot help but feel the solemnity of peace. I am once again convinced that there is no quick fix for peace and thus patient efforts are indispensable to maintain it. Japan has been leading the international community to make a world based on cooperation, not division or confrontation. We have always been the leader in the efforts to make the world a more peaceful place where the dignity of each and every human being is cherished and respected, and we have always done so even when the Western Balkans suffered from tragic conflicts back in 1990s. That is what we are trying to achieve even today in the middle of the current severe international reality.

In 2018, Japan launched the “Western Balkans Cooperation Initiative,” to promote efforts by the regional partners toward peace. Ever since, we have been supporting the region to foster further intra-regional reconciliation. We have been assisting the efforts on the socioeconomic reforms with the aim of their joining the EU. Economic stability is the very key to peace and stability in the region. More and more Japanese companies have increased their presence in the region’s market, and it has contributed to regional job creation. Japan will continue to back up this momentum and will promote self-reliant development of each country.

In Serbia yesterday, in a courtesy call on the Prime Minister and the Foreign Ministers’ meeting, I called for Serbia’s constructive engagement in the EU-led Serbia-Kosovo dialogue and agreed to launch formal negotiations on a Japan-Serbia investment agreement. In the meeting with Ms. Tatjana Macura, Minister in charge of gender equality, we shared concerns about the importance of incorporating Women, Peace and Security (WPS) perspectives into the regional reconciliation process. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, I also called for inter-ethnic cooperation, and explained Japan’s constant involvement in the country and the strengthening of measures for WPS initiatives.

In particular, to contribute to stability in the country, Japan has been promoting the provision of surveillance cameras to border police and of ambulances. Furthermore, Japan will strengthen the capacity for reduction of wildfire risk, and dispatch experts to develop tourism towards economic development. Additionally, as part of cultural diplomacy, I visited a bookstore in the City of Sarajevo and viewed the traveling manga exhibition by Japan Foundation that being held at the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Next, I will visit Kosovo. It will be the first time for a serving Japanese Foreign Minister to visit the country, which we are marking as a milestone for the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

I will also call on Kosovo to engage constructively in the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue, as well as have an exchange of views on bilateral relations and cooperation in the international arena. As the international community faces deepening division and confrontation, regarding this visit to the Western Balkans, I took an approach with a strong desire to renew our commitment to peace in countries that once suffered from war and are still in the process of reconciliation and reconstruction. Through this visit, I feel keenly just how fragile and fleeting peace can be and how difficult it is to rebuild peace once it has been lost, and I was able to feel directly the expectations placed on Japan, which has provided consistent support in the field of the current international community which is facing deepening division and confrontation. I have renewed my determination to further make diplomatic efforts in line with these views.

Reporter: There is concern over the growing influence of China and Russia in the Western Balkans, due to the impact of the situation in Ukraine and the country’s prolonged EU accession negotiations. I would like to ask your thoughts on the significance of your visit to the Western Balkans in this situation.

Minister Kamikawa: Here, in the Western Balkans, intensifying international competition for influence is increasing by each country in the region especially since Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Against this backdrop, Japan has been leading the international community towards cooperation, not division and confrontation, and has sought a peaceful world where the dignity of every person is respected. Based on this view, Japan has promoted the “Western Balkans Cooperation Initiative,” which supports peace and stability in the Western Balkans, facilitating cooperation in the region and the European integration.

At the meetings, I explained Japan’s view and efforts in depth to each counterpart. The countries highly valued Japan’s stance and efforts, and expressed their high expectations for continuing cooperation in the future. As we firmly follow up on the outcomes of this visit, I intend to contribute to peace and stability in the Western Balkans, an important region for peace in Europe.

Reporter: I have three questions. Recently, in Cambodia, you expressed that Japan would advance cooperation to support mine action in third countries. Bosnia and Herzegovina also have had the issue of mine action since the conflict. Please tell us about the status of Japan’s support for the country, and whether Japan intends to set forth a support plan leveraging cooperation with Cambodia as a third country. In addition, is Japan considering new cooperation with the countries you visited for WPS? Lastly, in terms of the prospects for peace in Ukraine, what suggestions or outcomes did your visit yield? Could you tell us about how you will apply them to Japan’s diplomacy toward peace in Ukraine?

Minister Kamikawa: First, on supporting mine action, I recently announced the “Japan-Cambodia Landmine Initiative,” and set forth measures supporting mine action in third countries. Regarding the Western Balkans, there is major issue with mines in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to which Japan has conducted cooperation projects for mine action in coordination with Slovenia, which has knowledge in mine action in the region. Japan will host an international conference on Ukraine mine action next year. At the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting yesterday, Foreign Minister Konaković and I confirmed coordination toward that conference. To proceed with preparations for the conference, we will cooperate with the Western Balkan countries, including Croatia, last year's host country, while drawing on their knowledge on mine action. Regarding the support for mine clearance in collaboration with Cambodia you mentioned, we are providing support to Ukraine. I intend to cooperate with Cambodia toward the conference, as well.

On your second question concerning cooperation in the area of WPS, in Serbia, I exchanged views with Minister Macura, who is in charge of women’s empowerment and other matters. Here, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I exchanged views with women representatives of international organizations and NGOs, who are engaged in projects to support women and in peacebuilding. In Kosovo, the next country I will visit, I plan to exchange views with former President Jahjaga, who is proactively promoting support projects for women and children. Through these exchanges of views, I have keenly felt the importance for the region’s future that women be involved in efforts to overcome conflict, and that the perspectives of women and children be incorporated into the process. I intend to further strengthen collaboration with the Western Balkans in WPS initiatives, building on these exchanges of views.

Lastly, on the outcomes toward peace in Ukraine, as the international community faces deepening division and confrontation, as symbolized by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, regarding this visit to the Western Balkans, I took an approach with a strong desire for renewing our commitment to peace in countries that once suffered from war and are still in the process of reconciliation and reconstruction. Amidst Russia’s protracted aggression against Ukraine, the Summit on Peace in Ukraine was recently held in Switzerland, but achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, unfortunately, the path remains far and difficult. Through the visit to the Western Balkans, I have become acutely aware of just how fragile peace can be and how difficult it is to rebuild peace once it has collapsed. That is why we must make every effort to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible, to lead the international community toward cooperation, not division and confrontation, and to create a peaceful world in which the dignity of each and every individual is upheld. I believe we must act quickly and cooperate, and I will continue moving forward with determination.