Joint Statement between Japan and the State of Kuwait

Upon the kind invitation of H.E. Yasuo Fukuda, Prime Minister of Japan, H.H. Sheikh Nasser Al Mohammed Al Ahmed Al Sabah, Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait, paid an official visit to Japan accompanied by a high-level delegation from July 26 to 29, 2008.

H.H. Sheikh Nasser Al Mohammed Al Ahmed Al Sabah was received in Imperial Audience by His Majesty the Emperor during his stay.

Also formal discussions were held between Japan and the State of Kuwait, during which H.E. Mr. Yasuo Fukuda chaired the Japanese side, while H.H. Sheikh Nasser Al Mohammed Al Ahmed Al Sabah chaired the Kuwaiti side. The two sides expressed their deep satisfaction with the outstanding development in the recent Japan-Kuwait relations, confirmed their determination to promote these prosperous relations, and noted the importance of the visit of H.H. Sheikh Nasser Al Mohammed Al Ahmed Al Sabah to Japan as a historic opportunity to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.

1. The two sides expressed their expectations for the success of the coming year of 2011, the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, in which mutual visits by prominent figures of the two countries and a variety of commemorative events encompassing wide-ranging areas such as politics, economy, culture, science, tourism and student exchanges will take place in order to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples.
2. The two sides expressed their satisfaction with the development in the bilateral relations between them in various fields, especially in the commercial and economic relations, and commended the role played by the Kuwaiti-Japanese Businessmen's Committee. The two sides welcomed the signing of the Memorandum on establishing a Joint Committee between the two governments to further activate cooperation in all fields, particularly the economic and commercial fields.
3. The two sides also welcomed the signing of the Memorandum on conducting bilateral consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries.
4. The two sides reiterated their common view that the stability of the world oil market is a cornerstone for the sound and sustainable growth of the world economy. In this regard, the two sides shared the view that the current oil price level is unprecedented and it is against the interest of both oil consuming and producing countries. The Japanese side expressed its appreciation for the significant role of Kuwait as a major oil producing and exporting country and welcomed Kuwaiti initiative to increase its oil production within the first half of the next year. The Kuwaiti side expressed its commitment to assure stable oil supplies to Japan. The two sides reaffirmed their desire to strengthen technical cooperation in the upstream and other oil sectors, and decided to start a joint research project regarding CO2-Enhanced Oil Recovery as a first step.
5. The two sides confirmed the importance of promoting renewable energy and energy conservation in order to secure stable energy supply, protecting natural environment as well as achieving economic growth. From this standpoint, the two sides decided to strengthen bilateral cooperation on the basis of Japan's long-term experiences and its advanced technology in the fields of renewable energy, conservation of energy and water, energy management and alternative energy sources. In this regard, the two sides welcomed the significant progress regarding the project on solar integrated combined cycle between the Ministry of Electricity and Water of Kuwait and Toyota Tsusho Corporation, and expressed their intention to render continuous support for the execution of the project. They also expressed their willingness to support such renewable energy and energy conservation projects as mentioned in the Joint Statement issued by the two sides in May 2007.
6. The two sides welcomed the ongoing negotiations of the Convention of the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and expressed their intention to make efforts towards finalizing the Convention at the earliest time. They also confirmed the importance of the negotiations between Japan and the GCC regarding the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and expressed their determination to reach an agreement in principle as soon as possible. The Kuwaiti side expressed its desire to start the negotiation for an agreement on the promotion and mutual protection of investments between the two countries.
7. The Kuwaiti side expressed its appreciation for the continued bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the field of environmental projects that began with the Japan-Kuwait Cooperation on Environmental Issues and Technology Transfer in December 2002, of which achievements were the Environmental Rehabilitation of Kuwait Bay, the Modernization of Oil Industry and the Human resources Development Program. The Kuwaiti side also expressed its appreciation for the master plan of the Environment Protection Policy of the State of Kuwait in November 2004. The two sides expressed their appreciation for the achievement of experimental introduction of the environmental educational program KIDS ISO 14000 and their willingness to expand and support this program in Kuwait in a consistent manner.
8. The Kuwaiti side commended the initiative of Japan shown at the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit Meeting and the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV), while the Japanese side expressed its appreciation for the active Kuwaiti assistance towards the development of countries including Africa through KFAED and Red Crescent Society.
9. The Kuwaiti side expressed its appreciation for Japan's initiative for "the Dialogue among Civilizations between Japan and the Islamic World" in order to deepen mutual understanding. The Japanese side also expressed its appreciation for the Kuwaiti intent to host the 7th Seminar on the Dialogue.
10. The two sides expressed their wholehearted satisfaction with the ongoing educational cooperation and personal exchanges between the two countries, especially the training programs for Kuwaiti educationists offered by the Government of Japan, the opening of the Japanese language courses at Kuwait University's Center for Community Service & Continuing Education and the round-tables for returned Kuwaiti students from Japan hosted by the Embassy of Japan in the State of Kuwait. The two sides decided to study means to further expand such cooperation in the field of education.
11. The Kuwaiti side appreciated the outcome of G8 Hokkaido-Toyako Summit and Major Economies Meeting, and the Japanese initiative "Cool Earth 50" and "Cool Earth Promotion Programme". The two sides shared the view that Japan and Kuwait will be actively engaged in a process to establish an effective framework beyond 2012 in which all major economies participate in a responsible way, in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. Both recognized that among others, sectoral approach is a useful tool for reducing green house gas emissions. The Japanese side welcomed the Kuwaiti pledge of 150 million US dollars for climate change including Carbon Capture and Storage announced at OPEC Riyadh Summit in November 2007.
12. The two sides emphasized the significance of the stability in the Middle East to the world as a whole. The two sides reaffirmed their close cooperation for the stability and prosperity of the region, giving great importance to the peace process in the Middle East, the reconstruction of Iraq, and the fight against terrorism.
13. The two sides reviewed the current situation in Iraq and welcomed the positive progress of the achieved breakthrough in the security situation in Iraq. The two sides also stressed the importance of achieving the national reconciliation and employing all efforts to provide chances of success for the political process, to bring stability and security to Iraq and its people, affirming at the same time their support for the sovereignty and integrity of Iraq. The Kuwaiti side expressed its appreciation for Japan's contributions to the reconstruction and stability of Iraq, while the Japanese side expressed its deep appreciation for Kuwait's cooperation with Japan in providing humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Iraq.
14. The two sides shared the view that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery poses a serious threat to the peace and stability of the international community, and that an enhanced cooperation is indispensable to strengthen disarmament and non-proliferation instruments, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). In this context the two sides discussed the Iranian nuclear issue and emphasized the importance of urging all Middle East countries to join the NPT, and of making the Middle East a region free from all WMDs and their means of delivery, in conformity with the internationally legitimate resolutions, and of urging Iran to fully comply with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. Both sides also confirmed the importance of reaching a peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, and urging Iran to continue the dialogue with the international community and to cooperate fully in this matter with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
15. The two sides shared the view on the significance of reaching a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region, based on the relevant UN and Security Council resolutions, the Arab Initiative and the Roadmap. The Kuwaiti side expressed its appreciation for Japan's active contribution in the Middle East peace process, including the "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity" initiative. The two sides decided to enhance information sharing and cooperation regarding their assistance to the Palestinians including the above-mentioned initiative.
16. In discussing the situation in Lebanon, the two sides welcomed the election of H.E. Gen. Suleiman, President for the Lebanese Republic, and the announcement of the formation of the national unity government in Lebanon headed by H.E. Fuaad Siniora. In this regard, the two sides called upon the political forces and parties to continue the dialogue and give priority to the highest national interests, in a way that preserves the unity and independence of Lebanon, so as to restore its security and stability.
17. The two sides expressed their denunciation of terrorism in all its shapes and forms, and emphasized their determination to promote their cooperation to combat it bilaterally and within the multilateral framework, including the UN.
18. On the situation regarding the Korean Peninsula, the two sides concurred on their support for the full and expeditious implementation of the Joint Statement of September 2005 of the Six Party Talks and for the elimination of the threat posed by missiles. The Japanese side expressed its intention to make progress in the talks between Japan and North Korea to resolve the outstanding issues of concern, including the abduction issue, to which Kuwait expressed its strong support.
19. The two sides shared the recognition that there is a need for comprehensive reform of the United Nations. The two sides in particular expressed their support for the commencement of intergovernmental negotiations on the early reform of the Security Council, including the expansion of the permanent and non-permanent membership in the Security Council.

Tokyo, July 29, 2008