Leaders’ Session of the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction (Summary)

[Provisional translation]

On February 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:35 a.m., the Leaders’ Session of the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction was held at the Keidanren Kaikan and Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, attended it. The overview of the session is as follows.

1. In his keynote speech at the outset of the session, Prime Minister Kishida explained how Japan decided to hold this Conference as a “Japan’s unique contribution” in response to the strong expectations for Japan’s support for the reconstruction of Ukraine, expressed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to Ukraine in March last year. Prime Minister Kishida went on to state that Japan attached a new significance of “investing in the future” of Ukraine, Japan and the whole globe to support to Ukraine, and expressed its intention to strengthen the comprehensive economic development of Ukraine from primary to tertiary sectors through public-private cooperation. In addition, Prime Minister Kishida stated that in making a “Japan’s unique contribution”, it was important to ensure the 3 Principles of “inclusiveness” “partnership” and “knowledge and technology” and explained that 5 Actions (the signing of the Tax Convention and commencement of negotiations for a review of the Bilateral Investment Treaty, the establishment of the JETRO office and others) would be taken to promote Japanese private investment and create employment in Ukraine as an outcome of the Conference. Furthermore, Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan would closely follow up on the over 50 cooperation outcome documents that have been signed as a concrete outcome, and that Japan would work with the G7 and other countries, as well as our partners and international organizations.
2. Subsequently, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, in his speech, conveyed President Zelenskyy’s message of appreciation to Prime Minister Kishida and Japanese people. Prime Minister Shmyhal then expressed his gratitude for Japan’s support, the holding of this Conference and Japan’s leadership as the G7 Chair last year. Prime Minister Shmyhal noted that Ukraine was trying to learn from Japan’s experience of reconstruction, its economic miracle and experience of modernization while mentioning the examples of Japanese companies operating in Ukraine. Prime Minister Shmyhal called for further collaboration with Japanese companies in the future reconstruction process, referring to the areas of energy, agriculture, infrastructure, automobile manufacturing, mining and information technology. Moreover, Prime Minister Shmyhal stated that it was essential for the private sector to play a central role in the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine, touching upon Ukraine's enormous financial needs for the recovery and reconstruction and its own current anti-corruption efforts as well as while mentioning EU’s recent decision to start accession negotiations with Ukraine. Finally, Prime Minister Shmyhal expressed his appreciation and recognition of Japan’s support for Ukraine's Peace Formula and related efforts, and stated that Ukraine appreciated all solidarity actions by Japan and Ukraine and its people would never forget them.
3. In the end, the signed text of the “Convention between the Government of Japan and the Government of Ukraine for the Elimination of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income and the Prevention of Tax Evasion and Avoidance” (Tax Convention with Ukraine), which was signed on that date, was exchanged in the presence of both Prime Ministers. A ceremony was also held for documents related to emergency recovery assistance, economic reconstruction and industrial enhancement, and fundamental environmental improvement, among other things. A total of 56 signed cooperation documents were unveiled in the presence of both Prime Ministers.
4. The Joint communique, which was coordinated between the Governments of Japan and Ukraine, was released as an outcome document of the Conference.