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Diplomatic Relations

Japan-Poland Summit Meeting

Monday, June 17, 2013

On Sunday, June 16, during his visit to the Republic of Poland, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a summit meeting (from approximately 10:30 A.M. to 11:15 A.M.) and a working lunch (from 11:40 A.M. to 12:25 P.M.) with H.E. Mr. Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland. The summary of the meetings is as follows.

  1. Bilateral Relations

    Political and Defense Exchange

    (1) At the beginning of the meeting, Prime Minister Abe expressed his joy at being able to visit Poland for the first time in 10 years as the Prime Minister of Japan. He noted that he would like to cooperate in every area with Poland, a leader of Central and Eastern Europe that shares basic values such as democracy, freedom and human rights with Japan. Prime Minister Tusk welcomed Prime Minister Abe to Poland and stated that he would like to work in cooperation with Prime Minister Abe towards the further development of long-term bilateral relations.

    (2) The two leaders shared the view that they would strengthen defense cooperation between their countries, which have never come into conflict throughout history. Prime Minister Tusk expressed his intention to welcome a training squadron of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, which will make a port call in Poland for the first time in August, and the leaders confirmed that they would collaborate for bilateral defense cooperation. Moreover, the two leaders agreed to hold the first conference between the defense authorities of Japan and Poland this autumn.

    Economic Relations

    (1) Prime Minister Abe expressed his gratitude for the initiative taken by Prime Minister Tusk in holding the V4+Japan Summit Meeting. Prime Minister Tusk praised Prime Minister Abe for the implementation of his bold economic reform and commented that he is paying attention to the development of "Abenomics." He also noted that Poland is developing into the center of the financial economy in Eastern Europe thanks to the steady development of its economy, and stressed his intention to place more emphasis on the relationship with Japan, with the expectation that the partnership between Japan and Poland will become more stable and balanced.

    (2) Regarding the field of energy, Prime Minister Tusk stated that he would like to continue promoting cooperation in the fields such as nuclear power, renewable energy, and smart grids. In Poland, where there is great dependence on coal, the interest in Clean Coal Technology is high. Prime Minister Tusk expressed expectations toward the launch of a joint research project with Japan, which has high technological capabilities.

    (3) From the perspective of further strengthening the two countries' good bilateral economic relationship, the leaders confirmed that they would cooperate with each other towards the early settlement of ongoing negotiations on the Japan-European Union (EU) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

    Promotion of Exchange

    (1) The two leaders confirmed the importance of further promoting exchange between the people of both countries, referring to a reception serving Japanese cuisine that was held on Saturday, June 15 in light of the high interest in Japanese traditional culture in Poland and with the cooperation of world-renowned designer Junko Koshino. In addition, the two leaders shared the view that 2014, as the 20th anniversary of the Manggha Centre of Japanese Art and Technology and the V4 plus Japan Exchange Year, will offer an excellent opportunity for the promotion of exchange.

    (2) From this point of view, the two leaders expressed their growing expectation that the commencement of direct flights between Japan and Poland would be a means to further deepen the promotion of exchange between the two countries. They also shared the view that they would accelerate ongoing negotiations towards the introduction of a working holiday scheme.

  2. Eastern Partnership

    (1) Prime Minister Abe stated that he felt that democratization and the shift toward market-oriented economies among the member countries of the Eastern Partnership was indispensable not only to stability in the region, but to the stability of the world. He praised the leadership of Prime Minister Tusk in this field.

    (2) Prime Minister Tusk made a remark that he would welcome the involvement of Japan in the Eastern Partnership.

    (3) The two leaders agreed to continue their cooperation in this field.

  3. Reform of the United Nations Security Council

    The two leaders shared the view that it is necessary to reform the United Nations Security Council. In relation to this topic, Prime Minister Tusk remarked that he would support Japan in becoming a permanent member of the Security Council.

  4. Regional Situations

    (1) The two leaders had an exchange of opinions on regional situations of interest to both countries. In relation to this, they shared the recognition that it is necessary to continue sending a strong message to North Korea stating that the possession of nuclear weapons by the country would absolutely not be tolerated, and that it should sincerely and completely abide by the series of Security Council Resolutions on the matter while refraining from any further provocative actions. Prime Minister Abe also expressed a strong determination towards the resolution of the abduction issue. Prime Minister Tusk responded that he supports Japan's position.

    (2) Prime Minister Tusk noted that he would like to learn a lesson from Japanese experience in planning support for the livelihood of the people of Afghanistan. In response to this, Prime Minister Abe touched upon the Tokyo Conference on Afghanistan held last year and expressed the hope for bilateral cooperation in the future.

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