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Japan-Indonesia Joint Statement

"Partners for New Challenges"

June 2, 2005


  1. On June 2, 2005, in Tokyo, H.E. Mr. Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister of Japan, and H.E. Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of the Republic of Indonesia, held in-depth discussions and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting closer and stronger bilateral relations, elevating them to a new height so that the two countries sharing common vision may work closely together as Partners for New Challenges in a rapidly changing international environment.

    The two leaders noted with satisfaction that their meeting was the fourth one between them in a period of half a year. They have decided to hold annual summits, taking advantage of opportunities at regional and multilateral meetings.


  2. (Partners for New Challenges) The two leaders recalled that Japan and Indonesia have, for decades, fostered a strong and longstanding relationship based on mutual trust and a set of common values: democracy and human rights, tolerance, rule of law, aspiration for peace, and principles of open economy. For Indonesia, Japan has long been its most important partner in trade, investment, and development assistance. For Japan, Indonesia has been a major partner, given its political and economic importance in Asia.

    President Yudhoyono expressed his appreciation for Japan's contribution since the end of World War II to the peace and prosperity of Asia and the world. Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his gratitude to President Yudhoyono's appreciation and stated Japan's resolve to continue to play its role for the peace and prosperity of the region and the world in the future. Prime Minister Koizumi also acknowledged Indonesia's active role in maintaining peace in the world and the region.


  3. (The Earthquake and Tsunami) The devastating earthquake and tsunami that occurred in Aceh and North Sumatra on 26 December 2004, as well as another quake in Nias and its neighboring islands on 28 March 2005, deeply shocked the people of Indonesia and Japan. President Yudhoyono expressed his appreciation for the generous, prompt, and heartfelt assistance extended by the people and government of Japan, a true testimony to the closeness of the bilateral ties. In this regard, President Yudhoyono expressed his determination to swiftly and effectively utilize Japanese financial contribution. Prime Minister Koizumi reiterated Japan's commitment to continuing its assistance in the reconstruction of Aceh.


  4. (Four Areas for New Challenges)To strengthen cooperation between the two countries, the two leaders have identified four areas of interest for immediate cooperation, as elaborated in the following documents:

    (1)Joint Announcement of the Japanese Prime Minister and the Indonesian President on the Cooperation between the two countries on Disaster Reduction

    (2)Joint Announcement on the commencement of negotiations on the Japan-Indonesia Economic Partnership Agreement

    (3)Joint Announcement of the Japan-Indonesia Strategic Investment Action Plan (SIAP)

    (4)Japan-Indonesia Joint Announcement on Maritime Affairs


  5. (For Reform and Development)Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his strong support for political, economic and social reforms being instituted in Indonesia under the leadership of President Yudhoyono. Prime Minister Koizumi also stated that Japan would continue to support Indonesia's development efforts by extending assistance for infrastructure improvement, poverty reduction and good governance through Official Development Assistance and private funds, and that Japan would also support Indonesia's efforts to improve its investment climate. President Yudhoyono expressed the hope that the volume of Japanese investment in Indonesia would double as a result of a better business climate. Such a positive development, President Yudhoyono said, would also benefit small and medium-sized enterprises. The two leaders expressed the shared hope that stronger economic ties between their two countries, as a result of increased investment flows from Japan to Indonesia, would lead to accelerated economic growth and greater prosperity in Indonesia.

  6. (People-to-People contacts)Prime Minister Koizumi and President Yudhoyono reaffirmed their commitment to broaden and deepen bilateral relations through better mutual understanding. Cultural and educational exchanges as well as tourism are among the areas of potential to be explored.

    In this context, the two leaders shared the view that strengthening people-to-people contacts, particularly among the younger generations, promotes friendship and greater understanding and underscored the importance of scholarship programs and other initiatives which facilitate youth exchange.


  7. (Eminent Persons' Group)The two leaders reconfirmed the establishment of the Eminent Persons' Group and underscored its importance to provide them with strategic recommendations on means to further broaden and deepen the bilateral relations through new initiatives in the areas including politics, economy, culture, education and tourism. They decided to expedite necessary procedures for its early establishment, including appointment of co-chairs.

  8. (Territorial integrity of Indonesia)On the issue of separatist movement in Indonesia, President Yudhoyono explained the development of the situation, including the implementation of special autonomy law. Prime Minister Koizumi reaffirmed Japan's full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Indonesia, and expressed his government's continued support for the recent efforts of the Government of Indonesia regarding Aceh to seek a peaceful solution through dialogue.

  9. (Facing New Challenges in the International Arena)

    (1)The two leaders shared the view that it is becoming increasingly important for Japan and Indonesia to explore the potential of more active cooperation and coordination in matters of regional and international concern in order to be more effective in conduct of our foreign policies.

    Indonesia and Japan will work together, for example, to make progress toward the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to promote United Nations reform in a comprehensive manner, including Security Council reform based on the models expanding its membership in both permanent and non-permanent categories, so that it may effectively cope with the challenges of the 21st century.

    (2)The two leaders shared the vision of an open, transparent and inclusive East Asia cooperation, which contributes to stability and growth of the region. For this purpose, they reiterated their commitment to work toward the success of the East Asia Summit and the realization of an East Asia community.

    (3)The two leaders underscored the importance of the Asian-African Summit 2005 held in Jakarta on 23 April 2005 and shared a view that, a New Asian-African Strategic Partnership (NAASP) adopted at the Summit, together with the initiatives of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), would facilitate enhanced cooperation between the two continents.


  10. (Transnational Crimes and Terrorism) The two leaders recognized the need to strengthen cooperation on combating transnational crimes such as terrorism, sea piracy, arms smuggling, money laundering, illicit drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, cyber crime, and international economic crime, and non-traditional security threats such as outbreaks of diseases. They emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation through forging closer partnerships between relevant authorities including the exchange of information. Prime Minister Koizumi highly valued the leadership of President Yudhoyono in the fight against terrorism and expressed continued support for capacity building to this effect.

  11. (Combating Illegal Logging) The two leaders reaffirmed the need for strengthening cooperation on combating illegal logging and the trade in illegally logged timber and wood products, including development of the systems for verification of legal compliance, as contained in the 2003 Joint Announcement and Action Plan. They recognized that the Asia Forest Partnership (AFP) and International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) would provide with good basis for regional and multilateral cooperation in this regard.

Signed at Tokyo, June 2, 2005

Prime Minister of Japan
   Junichiro Koizumi
          

 President of Repubic of Indonesia
    Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono