Japan-Russian Federation Foreign Ministers' Meeting
(Summary)
16 January 2001
On 16 January, Foreign Minister Yohei Kono met with Minister for Foreign Affairs Igor Sergeyevich Ivanov of the Russian Federation in Moscow. The summary of the meeting is as follows:
1. Outline of the Meeting
The purposes of this Foreign Ministers' Meeting were: (a) to make preparations for the Leaders' Meeting in Irkutsk; and (b) to deepen mutual understanding about a wide range of issues based on the awareness that the development of Japan-Russia relations in all areas would benefit both countries. A productive exchange of views was conducted on these two points.
2. Summary of the Meeting
(1) Preparations for the Irkutsk Leaders' Meeting and Peace Treaty negotiations
(a) The two ministers deepened discussion based on the past dialogue regarding new measures to further accelerate the works of the Joint Committee on the Conclusion of a Peace Treaty and the sub-committee on border demarcation. This discussion will continue at the leader level in Irkutsk.
(b) The two ministers signed a memorandum on two issues which were tasked to them by both leaders during Russian President Vladimir Putin's official visit to Japan in September 2000: (i) the preparation of a new version of the Joint Compendium of Documents on the History of Territorial Problems; and (ii) enlightenment of the public as to the importance of the conclusion of a peace treaty.
(2) Bilateral issues
(a) Correspondence was exchanged between the two ministers regarding the opening of the Consulate-General in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
(b) Views were exchanged on the expansion of two-way visits of the current residents of the Islands and residents of Japan, joint economic activities, free visits to the Four Islands, and safe fishing activities in waters surrounding the Four Islands.
(c) In the economic field, Foreign Minister Ivanov welcomed the Keidanren Mission scheduled for early June 2001 to Russia, and stated that, as he believed it was a meaningful event, he intended to cooperate to the fullest extent.
(3) International situation
(a) Foreign Minister Ivanov mentioned three issues in Russia's relations with the United States as complicated ones: National Missile Defense (NMD), regional issues, and economic issues. Regarding NMD, he explained that Russia wanted to pursue constructive dialogue, and that he had the impression that the U.S. was also prepared to hold negotiations.
(b) Concerning the Republic of Iraq, Foreign Minister Ivanov explained that international monitoring of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) would be necessary while the sanctions should be lifted.
(c) Regarding the Middle East peace process, Foreign Minister Ivanov stated that the Clinton Administration was ending and that it was unclear whether the Bush Administration was interested in continuing efforts to mediate. He also said that he intended to suggest that the new administration take an interest in the Middle East peace process, and that Russia would continue to fulfill its role by cooperating also with Europe.
(d) Regarding the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Foreign Minister Ivanov stated that Russia's position was basically the same as that of Europe, and expressed his support for the administration of Dr. Vojislav Kostunica.
(e) Foreign Minister Kono made the following remarks: (i) Regarding NMD, he hoped that the U.S. and Russia would thoroughly engage in discussion; (ii) regarding the Middle East, it was essential to make efforts to understand the beliefs of the Islamic people, and that, from this perspective, he had established the Study Group on Islam within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; (iii) regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran, he expressed his support for President Mohammed Khatami's moderate reform path, and that although various issues remained to be settled, it was necessary to encourage affirmative trends and to firmly acknowledge the idea that such issues must be resolved through dialogue; and (iv) regarding Yugoslavia, it was necessary to give consideration to the surrounding countries.
(f) Foreign Minister Ivanov also stated that Russia was working to improve the investment environment in order to attract foreign investment.
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