Countries & Regions
Japan-Iran Summit Meeting
On September 26 commencing at 8:40 a.m. (local time) for approximately 30 minutes, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Dr. Hassan Rouhani, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, held a summit meeting in New York. An overview of the meeting is as follows (attending on the Japanese side included Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Katsunobu Kato, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, among others):
1. Opening Statement
(1) President Rouhani expressed his gratitude for a congratulatory message from Prime Minister Abe on his inauguration as the president, and for dispatching Mr. Masahiko Koumura as a Special Envoy of the Prime Minister. In response to this, Prime Minister Abe once again congratulated President Rouhani’s inauguration and also stated that he clearly remembers his visit to Iran 30 years ago accompanying Mr. Shintaro Abe, Minister for Foreign Affairs at the time.
(2) Moreover, Prime Minister Abe expressed his gratitude for Iran’s hospitality toward Mr. Koumura, Special Envoy of the Prime Minister. He also stated that he had learned of a report from Mr. Koumura that President Rouhani expresses his position that he will aim at constructive cooperation with the international society through a moderate approach, and welcomed it.
2. Nuclear Issue
(1) Prime Minister Abe stated that expectations from the international society toward a new government led by President Rouhani are high. Prime Minister Abe stated that he would like the president to utilize this great opportunity toward the solution of the nuclear issue, and that the international society is carefully observing the new government.
(2) Moreover, Prime Minister Abe stated that he strongly expects Iran to dispel concerns of the international society and restore international confidence, and to make concrete progress for that purpose. Prime Minister Abe also stated that the Government of Japan would like to cooperate with Iran for the solution of the issue, noting that a window of opportunity is not always open, and that showing flexibility taking this occasion would be a key in order to solve the issue.
(3) In response to this, President Rouhani stated that he would like to solve the nuclear issue at an early date.
3. Bilateral Relations
President Rouhani stated that he would like to strengthen cooperation in the fields such as the environment, anti-drug measures, and regional situations, while mentioning the traditional relations in the cultural and economic fields between the two countries. Both leaders shared their view that they will continue discussion on ways of strengthening cooperation.
4. Syria and other issues
When Prime Minister Abe asked about Iran’s stance on the situation in Syria, President Rouhani expressed his determination that the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran will make efforts for an early solution of the issue while seeking for cooperation with countries concerned. In response to this, Prime Minister Abe stated that the issue of weapons of mass destruction is also a problem for Japan, as Japan is facing this issue with regard to North Korea, and therefore Japan supports the movement toward abolition of chemical weapons in Syria. Prime Minister Abe also stated that he would like to solve the nuclear, missile, and abduction issues regarding North Korea.
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