Visit of Minister for Foreign
Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi to Russia
(Summary of Meetings)
October 15, 2002
1. Courtesy Visit to President Vladimir Putin (October 14)
(1) It was decided that Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi would visit Russia from January 9 to 11.
(2) On the issue of peace treaty negotiations, President Putin said that Japan and Russia must work together to resolve all issues inherited from the past and that it was regrettable and painful that there was no peace treaty between Japan and Russia. He said that he wanted to discuss these matters at the Japan-Russia summit meeting on the occasion of APEC summit to be held at the end of the month and during Prime Minister Koizumi´s visit to Russia.
(3) President Putin said that Prime Minister Koizumi´s visit to North Korea was an event of historic significance for the world. He offered his congratulations on the success of the visit and said that Russia would continue to cooperate in order to encourage positive developments concerning North Korea. President Putin also said that Russia was prepared to participate in the six-party talks on the security of Northeast Asia.
2. Meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Igor Sergeyevich Ivanov (October 12)
(1) Agreement was reached on the "Japanese-Russian Action Plan" encompassing: (a) deepening of political dialogue, (b) cooperation toward the conclusion of a peace treaty, (c) cooperation in the international arena, (d) cooperation on economic matters, (e) cooperation on public security and defense, (f) promotion of cultural and human exchanges.
(2) The ministers agreed to hold a Japan-Russia consultations on antiterrorist problems in Tokyo on November 13 and 14.
(3) Both sides recognized that conclusion of a peace treaty was an important issue between Japan and Russia. The ministers agreed that negotiations should continue, and that this should be one of the key elements of the "Action Plan"
(4) After presenting a briefing on issues concerning North Korea, the Japanese side requested to the Russian side to use its influence with North Korea, in particular to facilitate a clarification of the facts concerning abduction cases. The Russian side referred to the idea of linking the Trans-Siberian Railway with the Trans-Korean Railway.
(5) There was also an exchange of views on issues relating to Iraq and the Middle East.
3. Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Borisovich Khristenko (October 14)
The Japan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Issues was convened. Key issues discussed included energy, trade and investment promotion mechanisms, the concept of linking the Trans-Siberian Railway to the Trans-Korean Railway, and the improvement of the trade and investment environment in Russia.
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