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Foreign Minister Kawaguchi's Courtesy Visit to Russian President Putin
(Summary)

Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi, during her visit to Russia, paid a courtesy visit to Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 14. The following is a summary of the meeting.

1. Prime Minister Koizumi's Visit to Russia

(1) The schedule of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to Russia in January 2003 was decided. Prime Minister Koizumi is scheduled to arrive in Moscow in the evening of January 9, hold summit talks with President Putin on January 10, and depart from Moscow in the afternoon of January 11.

(2) Foreign Minister Kawaguchi conveyed the following message from Prime Minister Koizumi to President Putin.

(a) Prime Minister Koizumi expresses gratitude for President Putin's support and advice concerning the issues of the Korean Peninsula, especially before his recent visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

(b) Prime Minister Koizumi is looking forward to visiting Russia in January. He hopes to hold frank and thorough talks with President Putin to give a political impetus to the development of bilateral relations.

(c) Prime Minister Koizumi is also looking forward to meeting President Putin at the Economic Leaders Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum at the end of October.

2. Situation concerning North Korea

(1) President Putin made the following statements:

  • Cooperation is advancing on the international arena. I (President Putin) sincerely welcome Prime Minister Koizumi's visit to the DPRK, which was a historical event not only for Asia but also for the world. Russia is prepared to participate in six-party talks.

(2) Foreign Minister Kawaguchi responded as follows:

  • Japan and Russia share the ideas about the six-party talks on security in Northeast Asia. Such cooperation is expected to contribute to security in Northeast Asia.

(3) President Putin also made the following statements:

  • I again wish to express congratulations on the success of Prime Minister Koizumi's visit to the DPRK. This visit will undoubtedly have a favorable impact on the whole Asian region.
  • Russia wishes to continue its cooperation with Japan as a partner to encourage the positive trends that Prime Minister Koizumi has made regarding the DPRK.

3. Peace Treaty Negotiations

(1) President Putin made the following statements:

  • Japan and Russia must join forces to solve all the problems that they have inherited from the past. Russia is ready to cooperate with Japan to find a solution. Both Japan and Russia desire the development of bilateral elations.

(2) Foreign Minister Kawaguchi responded as follows:

  • I talked with Japanese business people dealing with Russia, and they said that the nonexistence of a peace treaty between the two countries was exerting a negative psychological impact. Japan-Russia relations have much potential, and it is extremely unfortunate that this potential is not being properly utilized because bilateral relations have not been fully normalized.

  • It is important to solve problems from the past, fully normalize bilateral relations, and qualitatively raise bilateral relations to a new level. Japan hopes for leadership of President Putin.

(3) President Putin made the following statements:

  • It is no exaggeration to say that the nonexistence of a peace treaty between Japan and Russia is truly lamentable, painful, and indeed regrettable. Russia wants to tackle the problem together with Japan. I wish to have thorough discussions with Prime Minister Koizumi on this matter on the occasion of the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting at the end of this month and when he visits Russia.

4. Other Topics

(1) Japan-Russia economic relations

(a) President Putin made the following statements:

  • I have already talked with Prime Minister Koizumi by telephone on two occasions since we met at the Kananaskis Summit and I wish to expand Japan-Russia relations over a wide range.

  • I have heard that a substantial Action Plan is being prepared for Prime Minister Koizumi's visit to Russia, but trade between the two countries is not increasing. The two sides need to cooperate to raise the trade level.

(b) In response, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi made the following statements:

  • Japan's exports to Russia in 2001 increased 40% over the previous year, and direct investment to Russia had doubled over the previous year. Although investment in the Sakhalin Projects 1 and 2 is not counted as Japanese investment, Japanese capital accounts for 30% of Sakhalin 1 and 45% of Sakhalin 2. So far Japan has invested $1 billion, and the number is expected to reach a total of $8 billion in the future.

  • Mutual relations among Japan, the United States, China and Russia are important for the development and stability of Northeast Asia, but the Japan-Russia relationship is the weakest link in every field.
  • Fixing Japan-Russia relations on this level would be a loss for both Japan and Russia when the reforms by President Putin make progress to a certain extent,.

(2) Antiterrorist measures

Foreign Minister Kawaguchi made the following statements:

  • President Putin's determination to cooperate with the Western countries after September 11, 2001, was a major factor in consolidating the unity of the international community in preparation for antiterrorist measures.
  • (Referring to the terrorist incident on Bali Island in Indonesia) The unfortunate incident reconfirmed the need for the countries of the world, including Japan and Russia, to fight against terrorism. There is much possibility for Japan-Russia cooperation in this field.

Summary of Meetings


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