Meeting Between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi and Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union and High Representative for the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) Javier Solana

February 9, 2003

In Tokyo on 9 February 2003, from about 7p.m. for approximately two hours, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi met with Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union and High Representative for the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) Javier Solana, and an exchange of views mainly on the issues of North Korea and Iraq took place. The following is an outline of the meeting.

With regard to the North Korea, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi explained that the principle of Japan's policy on North Korea was to resolve, in accordance with the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration, the various concerns such as the abduction of Japanese citizens and security issues, and to realize the normalization of diplomatic relations in a manner that would contribute to the peace and stability in the Northeast Asian region and the international community as a whole. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated that the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was scheduled to be convened on 12 February, and that Japan would continue to cooperate closely with the EU towards a peaceful solution of this issue. She also expressed her desire for a same message to be conveyed to North Korea from the international community. High Representative Solana expressed his agreement with Foreign Minister Kawaguchi and stated that the EU would continue to cooperate with Japan towards a peaceful solution.
With regard to Iraq, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi and High Representative Solana shared the view that it was not enough for Iraq merely not to disturb inspection works, but that the country should actively move to clear the suspicions and implement all the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, including those on the elimination of weapons of mass destruction. In addition, they came to an understanding that the international community should be united in discussions at the Security Council, including those based on the report from the inspection team to the Security Council scheduled for 14 February.
In addition, the issues of the peace process in the Middle East, EU enlargement, Sri Lanka and Myanmar were raised. With regard to the peace process in the Middle East, they reaffirmed their agreement that the process should be promoted steadily, despite the fluidity of situation in the region caused by the Iraqi issue. With regard to EU enlargement, High Representative Solana explained about the enlargement process to the countries including former Communist states, which began at the Copenhagen European Council in December 2002, and its meaning. They shared their view that cooperation would be undertaken towards the success of a conference relating to reconstruction of Sri Lanka to be held in June 2003, and that cooperation would continue towards the democratization of Myanmar.
Finally, they reaffirmed that such a close exchange of views between Japan and the EU was of great significance and that such political dialogue would be further promoted in the future.

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