Joint Statement
Between Japan and the Republic of Hungary
Upon the invitation of the Government of Japan, Mr. Ferenc Gyurcs?ny, Prime Minister of the Republic of Hungary, paid an official visit to Tokyo on 25-27 October 2004. Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress received Mr. and Mrs. Ferenc Gyurcs?ny at an audience on 25th October 2004. Mr. Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister of Japan, and Mr. Ferenc Gyurcs?ny held a meeting on the same day and issued the following statement.
1. Overview and Perspective of the Bilateral Relationship after the EU Enlargement
Recalling the mutual state visits of the President of the Republic of Hungary to Japan in 2000 and Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan to the Republic of Hungary in 2002, both sides reaffirmed the traditionally friendly relations between the two countries. With the visit of Prime Minister Gyurcs?ny to Japan the bilateral relations between Japan and the Republic of Hungary have entered a new stage.
Recognizing the enlargement of the European Union (EU) in 2004 as an event of historic significance that ended the division of Europe and contributed to the stability of the whole region, the Japanese side welcomed Hungary's accession to the EU as an achievement of Hungary's long-standing national goal of "return to Europe."
As a result of Hungary's successful democratization and transition to market economy, which Japan had assisted, both countries now share common values concerning social, political and economic matters. The Hungarian side expressed its gratitude to the Government of Japan for the support provided for the transition.
Hungary's accession to the EU opens new possibilities for the further strengthening of the relations between the two countries in both bilateral and multilateral contexts, including such forums as the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). In this context the Japanese side welcomed the recent accession of Hungary to the ASEM.
The Hungarian side considers Japan its most important partner in Asia, and expressed its willingness to take an active part in the process of formation of EU policy on Asia. The Hungarian side elaborated its new Asia policy in which Japan plays a role of great significance. The Japanese side welcomed these Hungarian initiatives.
Both sides expressed their intention to establish "Japan-Hungary Cooperation Forum" as a forum for dialogue between representatives of both countries from various fields of society including business, scientific and cultural communities. It will submit a proposal for further cooperation between two countries to both leaders at the end of the third annual conference as a conclusion of the dialogue.
Both sides expressed their appreciation of the results of the regional cooperation under the framework of the Visegrad Group which was established upon Hungarian initiative, and their intention to further promote dialogue within the framework of V4 plus Japan.
2. Cooperation on International Agenda
Both sides confirmed their willingness to enhance political dialogue at all levels in pursuit of further cooperation both on a bilateral basis and within multilateral frameworks in the spirit of prospective strategic partnership.
Both sides welcomed the reassertion of sovereignty in Iraq and expressed their commitment towards stabilisation, democratic transition and the reconstruction of the country. They concurred on the need to continue the efforts to restore longstanding peace and internal stability, and economic situation in Afghanistan consolidating it as a broadly-based democratic state that reflects the ethnic situation of the country and respects generally accepted human rights.
As regards the situation on the Korean Peninsula, they emphasized the need for an early and peaceful resolution through diplomatic means to the North Korean nuclear issue, which not only endangers the peace and security of the region but also poses a serious challenge to the international non-proliferation efforts. They called for an early resumption of the Six-Party Talks to this end and urged North Korea to expeditiously embark on the complete dismantlement of its nuclear program subject to international verification. In this connection the Hungarian side appreciated the diplomatic activity of the Japanese Government, while emphasizing the urgent need for a comprehensive settlement of the issue of the forcefully and illegally abducted Japanese citizens to North Korea.
Both sides reaffirmed their determination to cooperate actively within the framework of the United Nations (UN). Recognizing the important role of the UN in promoting international peace and security, both sides stressed the need to work together for the early realization 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 Hungarian side reiterated its support for Japan to become a permanent member of the Security Council. In support of "A New United Nations for the New Era," both sides stressed the need to work for a more coordinated, efficient and effective UN system also through administrative and budgetary reform.
Both sides expressed their grave concerns over global threats, endangering world peace and security, like terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, organized crime, and trafficking of drugs and human beings, and shared the view on the need for international cooperation to cope with them. In particular, both sides condemned international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reconfirmed that it is important for the international community to continue to be united in the fight against international terrorism.
The Japanese side welcomed Hungary's determination to play an active role as a donor country. In this connection both sides expressed their interest in coordinating each other with regard to economic assistance for third countries, utilizing Hungary's regional expertise and experiences, especially in the Western Balkans. Recalling the conclusions of the Ministerial Conference on Peace Consolidation and Economic Development of the Western Balkans held in Tokyo in April this year, they shared the view that, although they have made considerable progress in recent years, the countries of the Western Balkans, in partnership with the international community, must work together to promote further stability.
3. Economic Relations
Noting the dynamic growth of bilateral trade and the success of Japanese investments in Hungary, both sides expressed their interest and readiness to further deepen and widen economic relations. They expressed their intention to make active use of the "Japan-EU Regulatory Reform Dialogue" and the "Cooperation Framework for Promotion of Japan-EU Two-Way Investment" to enhance trade relations, establish business partnerships, and achieve two-way investment between both countries. The Hungarian side underlined that Japanese companies operating in Hungary and also new Japanese investors may count on the special attention of the government for the realization of their investments under transparent, legally stable and the most favourable conditions possible after the country's EU accession as well. The Japanese side welcomed the continued efforts of Hungary for investment promotion.
4. Environment / Science and Technology
Both sides reconfirmed that cooperation in the field of science, technology, and environment needs special attention.
Recognizing that the Kyoto Protocol is a significant first step forward in strengthening international actions against climate change, both sides appealed to other countries that have not ratified the Kyoto Protocol to do so promptly and expressed the expectation for bilateral cooperation in joint implementation (JI) and emissions trading under the Kyoto mechanisms.
Both countries praised the role played by the Regional Environmental Center in Central and Eastern Europe (REC) in Hungary, including its promotion of the Kyoto mechanisms in the region. In this context both sides welcomed the intention of Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and REC to cooperate with each other in identifying and formulating potential JI projects in the Central and Eastern European region, making effective use of technology and know-how of Japanese companies.
Expressing satisfaction with the increasing number of joint research being undertaken within the existing framework of science and technology cooperation, both sides expressed their intention to make efforts for further exchange in this field.
5. Cultural exchange / People's exchange
Recognizing the significance of the cultural exchange as a basis for promoting mutual understanding, both sides expressed their willingness to further enhance exchanges in a variety of fields. In this connection, both sides confirmed that they will jointly promote successful implementation of the "2005 EU-Japan Year of People-to-People Exchanges," including exchanges at the level of local governments.
Recognizing that tourism is one of the most important instruments to bring together the people and culture of the countries, both sides expressed hope for more frequent visits of tourists in both directions utilizing the occasion of the "2005 EU-Japan Year of People-to-People Exchanges" and "Visit Japan Campaign."
Both sides expressed their appreciation of the activities of the Japan Foundation Budapest Office in the Central and Eastern Europe. The Hungarian side welcomed the opening of the Japanese school in Budapest next spring.
Tokyo, October 25th, 2004
Junichiro Koizumi
Prime Minister of Japan |
Ferenc Gyurcsány
Prime Minister
of the Republic of Hungary
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