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| Top Speeches and Statements by Prime Minister |
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JOINT STATEMENT |
| - | the special nature of the long history of contacts between the two countries at all levels characterized as "good will" particularly of citizens of both countries, |
| - | the successful results achieved by the Republic of Poland in its efforts towards reform into democracy and market-oriented economy which opened new possibilities for cooperation between the two countries on a basis of the shared fundamental values and, among others, |
| - | the expected accession of the Republic of Poland to the EU, with which Japan has been establishing strategic partnership on a global level. |
Both sides are deeply convinced that forthcoming enlargement of the European Union opens new vistas for the further strengthening of the Japanese - Polish relations. It will give an additional boost to the rapid development of cooperation between Japan and Poland in the political, economic, social and cultural spheres. It will create better conditions for the enhancement of Japan's presence in Europe as well as Poland's in Asia.
Both sides are of the opinion that EU enlargement will bring added value to the development of the dialogue between the EU and Asia, particularly in the framework of the Asia-Europe Meeting. Japan welcomes Poland's participation in the dialogue between the EU and Asia, including its earliest possible accession to ASEM in accordance with The Asia-Europe Cooperation Framework (AECF) 2000.
Both sides resolved to establish a "Strategic Partnership" on matters of mutual interest in both European and global dimensions, which is not only consistent with the role of the Republic of Poland within the EU but also contributes to the stability and prosperity of the world as well as provides benefits to both Japan and the Republic of Poland in the broader context of their relationship with, within and beyond the EU.
Recognizing the enlargement of the EU in 2004 as one of the significant achievements in Europe, which finally puts an end to the long-lasting division of Europe and contributes to stability of the whole region and applauding the efforts which the Republic of Poland has made for the accession process since 1989, when it achieved the transformation from the communist regime through democratic processes, highlighted in the Round Table Talks, the Japanese side expressed its sincere hope that the relationship between the two countries would be further developed not only in a bilateral dimension but also in the context of the overall cooperation between Japan and the EU.
Japan recognizes Poland's achievements in restructuring its economy and legal system that now meet the EU standards. Becoming a member of the EU Internal Market as of 1 May 2004, Poland will be able to offer new opportunities for the further development of both, Japanese - Polish, and Japanese - EU economic cooperation, including direct investments. Japan and Poland will take utmost care of their interests and the merit arising from the development of the bilateral relations, also within the framework of enlargement of the EU.
The Japanese side expressed its will to strengthen relationship not only with the EU at large but also with its member countries both individually and in a collective form. In this connection, the Polish side would welcome cooperation between Japan and the Visegrad Group at the working level on the issues of mutual interest.
Political dimension and international issues of mutual interest
Expressing satisfaction that both sides shared the views on a number of major international issues as below, both sides confirmed their strong will to enhance the political dialogue at all levels in pursuit of possibilities for further cooperation both on bilateral basis and within multilateral framework, making utmost use of the existing fora, or new ones to be established as appropriate, in a spirit of "strategic partnership".
With regard to the reconstruction of Iraq, the Japanese side highly appreciated Poland's major contribution in the form of dispatchment of Polish troops and taking command of a multinational division for stabilization in the central south zone of Iraq as well as chairing the Committee for International Coordination. The Polish side welcomed the passing of Special Measure Law for Iraq that enables the dispatch of the Japanese Self Defence Forces to Iraq and expressed its wish to cooperate with the JSDF in Iraq. Both sides attached great importance to promoting the reconstruction of Iraq in cooperation with the international community to the utmost extent. In this context, both sides expressed their will to encourage as many countries as possible to participate actively in the Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq to be held in October 2003 and allow them to make further contribution to the process of establishment of a government managed by the people of Iraq through humanitarian aid, reconstruction support and other forms of assistance for the maintenance of security and acceleration of political process.
Both sides expressed their grave concern over the North Korean nuclear issue and urged North Korea to refrain from any action that would aggravate the situation, to abide by all related international commitments, and to embark on the verifiable, irreversible, full and prompt dismantlement of its nuclear weapons programme.
Both sides shared the view that the matters over North Korea, including the nuclear issue, should be solved in a peaceful and diplomatic way, and welcomed that the six-party talks will be convened to seek comprehensive solutions of the issue of North Korea.
The Polish side expressed its full support for Japan's basic position that, on the basis of Japan - North Korea Pyongyang Declaration, it will solve outstanding problems such as nuclear missile and abduction issues comprehensively and achieve normalization of the diplomatic relations with North Korea in a way that would contribute to peace and stability of Northeast Asia as a whole.
Both sides shared the view that the threat of international terrorism remains serious and that it is important for the international community to continue to be united in the fight against international terrorism. In this regard, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of the twelve counter-terrorism conventions and relevant United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions. Both sides also confirmed their intention to promote counter-terrorism cooperation on a bilateral basis as well as within multilateral framework including the UN.
Both sides reaffirmed their determination to cooperate actively within the framework of the UN and other international organizations. Recognizing the important role of the UN in promoting international peace, stability and prosperity in the 21st century both sides stressed the need to work together for the early implementation of UN reforms, inter alia, the reform of the Security Council including the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership. In this context, the Japanese side took note of the initiative of the Polish side to promote the proposal made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland at the 57th Session of the United Nations General Assembly to elaborate a New Act of the United Nations at the Dawn of the 21st Century and the Polish side reiterated its support for Japan to become a permanent member of the Security Council.
Recalling the report of the Commission on Human Security submitted to the UN Secretary-General, both sides affirmed the importance of promoting human security by protecting and empowering each individual to build community and nation where people can live with dignity.
Both sides expressed their willingness to arrange regular consultative meetings of representatives of respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs that would take place either in Tokyo or in Warsaw alternately and allow to screen the current issues concerning the foreign policies of both countries and bilateral relations.
Both sides confirmed their support for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), announced by the US President during his visit to the Republic of Poland in May 2003, and reiterated their readiness to cooperate on the promotion of the PSI with a view to strengthening international efforts to prevent proliferation.
The Japanese side welcomed the participation of the Republic of Poland in the G8 Global Partnership against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction and both sides confirmed their willingness to cooperate to promote this partnership.
Both sides shared the view that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery means poses a serious threat to the international community. In this context, both sides reaffirmed their will to cooperate further in various endeavors to tackle the issue, including the efforts through Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), which is currently chaired by Polish representative, whose energetic outreach activities are highly appreciated by the Japanese side.
Recognizing that the Kyoto Protocol is an extremely significant first step in strengthening international actions against climate change, both sides confirmed their willingness to strongly urge other countries that have not yet ratified the Kyoto Protocol to do so promptly.
Both sides expressed their intention to cooperate to establish a common rule in which all countries participate in order to ensure the effectiveness of actions against climate change. Both sides also expressed the expectation for bilateral cooperation in joint implementation and emission trading under Kyoto mechanism.
Economic dimension
Both sides shared the recognition that the strengthening of economic ties, including trade, is one of the keys for maintaining and developing the overall bilateral relations. Expecting positive implication of the EU enlargement on the promotion of economic relations between Japan and the Republic of Poland, both sides stressed the need of maximizing the benefit arising from enlargement, while minimizing the negative impact, if any. The relevant issues will be consulted on the level of competent ministries and appropriate institutions of both countries.
Noting that the investment from Japan has been contributing to the creation of employment, raising the level of technology and promotion of export, which are all welcomed from the viewpoint of Poland's national economic policy, the Polish side, within the framework of its overall efforts for further improvement of the business environment to attract more Japanese investment, expressed also its intention to:
| - | take appropriate measures to improve the conditions for economic activities for Japanese business people, |
| - | make utmost efforts to establish "one-stop shop" to deal with all the administrative procedures for foreign investment. |
The Polish side will study the possibility to establish investment promotion office in Japan.
The Polish side expressed its high interest in a significant increase of Japanese investments, in particular in the field of high technology, including automobile industry, on the Polish market.
The Japanese side expressed its commitment to extend assistance to the Polish Agency for Information and Foreign Investment (PAIiIZ) in attracting foreign investment by dispatching for a period of one year a Japanese expert.
The Japanese side explained to the Polish side its initiatives on inward investment promotion such as "Invest Japan" and the Polish side expressed its intention to fully utilize Japan's experience in this regard.
Expressing satisfaction with the positive results of cooperation within the framework of the Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Science and Technology, both sides expressed their hope that the exchanges of scientists and experts would be further promoted on a commercial basis as well, to which the experiences of the cooperation on a governmental level would give some impetus. In this context, the Polish side expressed its gratitude for Japan's technical assistance so far provided, including the projects on "the Polish-Japanese Institute of Information Technology" and both sides shared the view that there is further potentiality in the cooperation between the two countries in the area of information technology, environment and energy conservation. The Agreement on the Project "The Poland - Japan Energy Conservation Technology Centre" is in the final stage of negotiations. Both sides will make efforts to commence the Project without delay after concluding the agreement.
In line with the policy orientation of the Republic of Poland towards promotion of further cooperation with its eastern neighbours, and noting the relevance of extension of the knowledge and expertise acquired by Poland through cooperation with Japan to other countries in transition, both sides expressed their will to cooperate in extending technical assistance to third countries among others through the joint project on "IT Distance Education in Ukraine" in collaboration with the UNDP.
Cultural dimension and People-to-People exchange
Recognizing significance of the cultural exchange as the basis of promoting mutual understanding, each side reconfirmed its interest in the other's attractive culture, both traditional and contemporary, and emphasized its will to enhance exchanges in a variety of fields, which would deepen the mutual understanding between the two peoples. In this connection, along with bilateral exchanges, both sides confirmed that they would jointly prepare for successful "2005 Japan-EU Year of People-to-People Exchanges".
Poland's participation in "2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan" will be the biggest-ever Polish promotion event in Japan. It will be an excellent opportunity to present Polish potential regarding broad-based economic cooperation covering wide export, investment and tourist offer.
Both sides showed their expectations that the pavilion of the Republic of Poland at the "2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan" would be one of the most popular and outstanding exhibitions and contribute significantly to further enhancement of the mutual understanding between the people of both countries.
Recognizing that tourism is one of the most important vehicles to bring together people and culture among the countries, both sides expressed the hope for more frequent visits of tourists to both directions.
Prime Minister of Japan Mr. Junichiro Koizumi extended an invitation to Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Mr. Leszek Miller to pay a visit to Japan with a view to further strengthening the friendly relations between the two countries, following up the agenda of the promotion of economic relations and exploring new possibilities of enhancing their bilateral cooperation. The invitation was welcomed with gratitude, with the date of the visit to be decided through diplomatic channels.
Warsaw, August 19th, 2003
Junichiro Koizumi |
Leszek Miller |