Japan-Yugoslavia Foreign Ministers Meeting
(Overview of the Meeting)

6 February 2001
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Minister of Foreign Affairs Goran Svilanovic of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia visited Japan from 5 to 6 February as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and met Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono on the evening of 6 February for talks. The following is an overview of their talks. This visit by Foreign Minister Svilanovic represents the first visit to Japan of a Yugoslavian Foreign Minister since the collapse of the former Yugoslavia in 1991.

1. Japan's Approach to the Balkan Region (Assistance to Yugoslavia)

(1) Foreign Minister Kono explained Japan's philosophy which forms the backdrop to it expending considerable efforts over the last year as Chair of the G8 amid international approaches toward the situation in the Balkans.

1. Japan and Yugoslavia share historically close and friendly relations as is demonstrated by the fact that the Embassy of Japan in Yugoslavia was maintained even during NATO's air campaign a year ago.
2. The implementation of the idea of "cross-support" whereby Japan and Europe mutually cooperate with respect to issues in each other's regions is currently being discussed between Japan and Europe.
3. Japan has been advocating "dialogue among civilizations," namely, dialogue which transcends differences of religion and ethnicity and is conducted separate from the positions of either country; Japan's participation in the Balkans is part of this.

(2) In response, Foreign Minister Svilanovic expressed his gratitude for the assistance Japan implemented in the past and highly evaluated the role Japan is playing in the G8.

(3) Foreign Minister Kono stated that Japan would continue to assist the reform efforts of Yugoslavia, and presented the following five points as items Japan firmly expected of Yugoslavia in implementing the assistance.

Five Items Japan Anticipates From Yugoslavia

1. To make exhaustive efforts in the process of democratization and ensure human dignity.
2. To cooperate closely with international financial institutions (IFIs) and earnestly address domestic economic reform.
3. To improve relations with neighboring countries and work toward ethnic reconciliation.
4. Regarding issues in Kosovo, continue earnest dialogue with the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and implement constructive and restrained responses for the stability of Kosovo and South Serbia.
5. Work actively toward solving issues including refugees from the former Yugoslavia, internally displaced persons, and Albanian Kosovars held in Serbia.

(4) Foreign Minister Kono stated that Japan is considering implementing assistance in the future centering on grant aid and technical cooperation, and considering the dispatch of a project-finding mission, mindful of the Donors' Conference for Yugoslavia. He further noted that Japan would make Yugoslavia eligible for cultural grant aid. In response, Foreign Minister Svilanovic affirmed that he hoped for the early dispatch of the project-finding mission.

(5) Furthermore, Foreign Minister Kono stated that he would cooperate toward Yugoslavia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

2. The Situation in Yugoslavia

(1) The situation in Montenegro

Foreign Minister Svilanovic commented that the further breakup of the former Yugoslavia could be expected to also cause repercussions in the surrounding countries, such as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which would have a destabilizing effect on the Southeast Europe region as a whole. Responding to this, Foreign Minister Kono stated that he would support the European Union's position calling on Montenegro, which is seeking independence, to exercise self-restraint.

(2) Investment Protection Agreement and Dual Taxation Prevention Agreement

In response to a proposal by Foreign Minister Svilanovic for the conclusion of an Investment Protection and Dual Taxation Prevention Agreement during explanations on economic reform in Yugoslavia, Foreign Minister Kono pointed out that it would first be vital that Yugoslavia's political and social conditions were stable and that it improved its investment environment. He stated that Japan would examine the proposal in light of the results of investment from Japan and trends in private enterprise, for example, while observing future improvements to Yugoslavia's investment environment.

(3) Cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)

Foreign Minister Kono noted that while the transfer of former President Slobodan Milosevic to the ICTY was undoubtedly a difficult issue, he considered cooperation with the ICTY significant and vital for Yugoslavia viewed from the long-term perspective, and as such would like them to steadfastly address this issue. By way of reply, Foreign Minister Svilanovic explained that he would consider implementing cooperation with the ICTY on the four following stages.

1. Establish an ICTY secretariat in Belgrade, aiming to open it at the end of February.
2. Reform Yugoslavia's domestic law so as to enable cooperation with the ICTY.
3. Establish a fact finding committee.
4. Initiate prosecution procedures (Consultations with the ICTY's chief prosecutor have begun).

3. Invitation of Mutual Visits

Bearing in mind that Yugoslavian President Vojislav Kostunica would be visiting Japan in the future, Foreign Minister Kono affirmed that he would like to further enhance bilateral relations. Foreign Minister Svilanovic expressed his gratitude for this, commenting that he would welcome a visit to Yugoslavia by Prime Minister Mori and Foreign Minister Kono.

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