Meeting Between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Rt Hon Jack Straw
(Outline)

July 18, 2002

On 17 July, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi met with and held a joint press conference with Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on his first visit to Japan since his assumption of the office.

Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw exchanged views on the extensive bilateral cooperation to date between Japan and the United Kingdom, the current international situation, global issues such as the environment and development and regional situations, and they also confirmed many shared concerns. The favorable Japan-UK relations to date were welcomed and as important partners the importance of continuing close contact and cooperation in order to tackle challenges facing the international community was agreed upon.

In addition, views were exchanged on programs of specific cooperation by Japan and the UK. A Joint Statement was announced that raised co-hosting of joint seminars on Afghanistan, small arms issues, consideration for joint projects that address small arms issues and conflict prevention and others as examples of cooperation.

Foreign Secretary Straw highly evaluated Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) performance. Concerning the situation in the Middle East and the situation between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and India, Foreign Secretary Straw stated that proactive diplomacy by Japan, which had not had historical burdens in the region, would play an increasingly important role in the future.

Other than the above-mentioned issues, the main agenda of the meeting was as follows.

1. Bilateral Relations
Foreign Secretary Straw expressed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair's hoped to visit Japan at some future date. In addition, Foreign Secretary Straw expressed gratitude for efforts by Japanese police authorities during the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

2. Middle East Peace Process
Both parties recognized the seriousness of the current situation, the necessity for reform of the Palestinian Authority and the importance of an approach to Israel.

3. India and Pakistan
In light of Foreign Secretary Straw's visit to India on 19 July and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on 20 July, both Foreign Ministers confirmed a continuation of approaches to both India and Pakistan. They also shared views that relations between India and Pakistan become less tense, but the situation was somewhat stalemated, and that through implementing further confidence-building measures, direct dialogue between India and Pakistan should be better realized at a suitable time in the future.

4. Afghanistan
An agreement to hold Japan-UK joint seminars was made. The necessity to follow-up on the International Conference on the Reconstruction of Afghanistan was also confirmed. Foreign Secretary Straw stated his interest in the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) initiative implemented in Afghanistan by Japan. In response, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi expressed Japan's intentions for close contact and cooperation in the future.

5. Iraq
Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated Japan's position that a peaceful solution is most important. In response, Foreign Secretary Straw expressed continued concern for Iraq's development of weapons of mass destruction.

6. North Korea
Foreign Minister Kawaguchi explained her impressions relating to her recent visit to the Republic of Korea. In response, Foreign Secretary Straw stated that the UK had an Embassy in Pyongyang and appealed to North Korea to act as a member of international society.

7. United Nations Security Council Reform
Concerning United Nations Security Council reform, support by the UK for Japan's permanent membership on the Security Council was confirmed. In addition, with the view that reform was not advancing, future consultations between persons in charge were confirmed for Japan and the UK to specifically advance reform.