Request for Russia's Early Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol

November 2003

1. On November 21 (Friday), Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Ichiro Fujisaki held talks with Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Borisovich Khristenko and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Denisov Andrei Ivanovich of the Russian Federation in Moscow, and called for Russia's early Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. Furthermore, he handed a letter from Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi requesting Russia's early Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol to Deputy Prime Minister Khristenko and Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Sergeyevich Ivanov. The following is an outline of the letter.
2. Letter from Foreign Minister Kawaguchi to Deputy Prime Minister Khristenko (Summary)

   (1) The Kyoto Protocol is an essential first step to strengthen international efforts in tackling climate change, and its early entry into force is of utmost importance. To this end, Russia's ratification of the Protocol is essential. We are aware that final considerations toward the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol are currently being given by the intra ministry committee under Deputy Prime Minister Khristenko. Japan strongly anticipates that such considerations will be completed promptly and that Russia will ratify the Kyoto Protocol at an early date.

   (2) Japan also intends to develop and construct measures to maintain a balance between the environment and economy while working to achieve the reduction commitment set out in the Protocol.

   (3) In order to ensure effectiveness of measures against global warming, establishing common rules among all countries, including the United States and developing countries is of utmost importance. Japan is seeking even closer cooperation with Russia in this field.
   

3. Letter from Foreign Minister Kawaguchi to Foreign Minister Ivanov (Summary)

   (1) The Kyoto Protocol is an essential first step to strengthen international efforts in tackling climate change, and its early entry into force is of utmost importance. To this end, Russia's ratification of the Protocol is essential. Japan strongly anticipates that considerations currently being made by Russia will be completed promptly and that Russia will ratify the Kyoto Protocol at an early date.

   (2) Japan also intends to develop and construct measures to maintain a balance between the environment and economy while working to achieve the reduction commitment set out in the Protocol.

   (3) Japan wishes Russia to demonstrate active leadership in the field of climate change in multilateral efforts under the United Nations.