Speeches and Statements by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi




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JOINT STATEMENT ON PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN JAPAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA

Mr. Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister of Japan, and Mr. Simeon Saxe-Coburg, Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria, held a meeting on December 15th, 2004 in Tokyo during the official visit to Japan of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria and issued the following statement.

Overview and Perspective of the Bilateral Relations

1. Reconfirming the traditionally friendly relations and partnership between Japan and the Republic of Bulgaria in a wide range of fields, both sides noted with satisfaction the steady implementation of the "Joint Announcement on New Partnership between Japan and the Republic of Bulgaria" issued in Tokyo in March 2003.

2. The Bulgarian Prime Minister expressed his deep gratitude to the Government and the people of Japan for their extensive support for the reforms in the Republic of Bulgaria. The Japanese side praised the efforts of the Bulgarian Government and people for establishing democracy and a functioning market economy and reaffirmed its intention to continue to provide support for the efforts of the Bulgarian people towards social and economic development of the Republic of Bulgaria and thereby to further strengthen the bilateral relations.

3. Both sides also shared the view that the forthcoming membership of the Republic of Bulgaria in the European Union (EU) provides new opportunities for closer bilateral cooperation. Recognizing that the enlargement of the EU in 2004 has contributed to the stability of the whole region, the Japanese side expressed its sincere hope that the relationship with the Republic of Bulgaria as a future EU member-state would be further enhanced not only on a bilateral basis but also within the context of the overall cooperation between Japan and the EU.

Cooperation on International Agenda

4. Both sides reiterated their willingness to promote political dialogue on a bilateral basis and within multilateral frameworks in order to enhance global security and prosperity. Both sides confirmed that the shared values of democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law and the principles of market economy, as well as their close views on major international issues provide a solid basis for cooperation in the field of foreign policy.

5. The Bulgarian side praised the constructive role of Japan in global political and economic affairs, as well as its efforts in maintaining and strengthening peace, security and stability. In this connection, the Bulgarian side expressed its support for the activities of Japan as a non-permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council for 2005-2006.

6. Noting the Republic of Bulgaria's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) since March 2004 and the final stage of its accession process to the EU, the Japanese side appreciated that both as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2002-2003 and as Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Chairman-in-Office in 2004, the Republic of Bulgaria has been playing a constructive role in decision making on major international issues and in dealing with the threats to security in the 21st century: countering terrorism, promoting democracy, security and stability.

7. Both sides reaffirmed their determination to cooperate actively within the framework of the UN for promoting international peace, security and prosperity in the 21st century and noted the importance of peaceful settlement of international conflicts as provided in the UN Charter. Both sides stressed the need to strengthen the UN addressing new threats to the international community and expressed their determination to work together for the early realization of UN reforms, which should enhance its capacity, efficiency and effectiveness, inter alia, the reform of the Security Council including the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership. In this context, the Bulgarian side reiterated its support for Japan to become a permanent member of the Security Council.

8. Both sides expressed their concern over the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear and missile issues and the issue of the Japanese citizens forcefully and illegally abducted to the DPRK, and emphasized the need for an early resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

9. Both sides underlined the continuing importance of a stable Iraq for the preservation of regional stability, as well as the need for the international community to support the work of the interim Iraqi Government with a view to the elections to be held in accordance with the time table set out in UN Security Council Resolution 1546. Both sides also emphasized the importance of maintaining the multilateral effort for rehabilitation and reconstruction and continuing to work closely together.

10. With regard to the recent presidential election in Ukraine, both sides underlined the importance of consolidation of democracy in Ukraine as well as its territorial integrity. The Japanese side highly appreciated efforts made by the Republic of Bulgaria as a chair of the OSCE in appealing to the parties concerned and building consensus of the international community on this matter.

11. Both sides recognized the importance of peace and stability in Southeastern Europe and underlined their determination to further enhance the dialogue and cooperation to promote greater security and economic development in the region. The Japanese side expressed its high appreciation of the constructive policy of the Republic of Bulgaria as a stabilizing factor in Southeastern Europe and its efforts to promote multifaceted regional cooperation to ensure security and prosperity in the region. The Bulgarian side praised Japan's contribution towards the consolidation of peace and stability in the region.

12. Both sides emphasized the importance of cooperation in countering global threats such as terrorism, international organized crime, trafficking of drugs and persons, and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. In particular, both sides shared the view that combating international terrorism and organized crime requires coordinated and resolute actions by the entire international community and in compliance with the twelve counter-terrorism international conventions and protocols as well as the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Both sides also welcomed UN Security Council Resolution 1540 adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter in order to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.

Economic Relations

13. Sharing the view that strong economic ties are the key to maintaining and developing the overall bilateral relations, both sides expressed their willingness to further promote trade and investment.

14. The Bulgarian side reaffirmed its commitment to undertaking concrete steps to attract Japanese direct investment and to boost two-way trade through close consultation with the Japanese side.

15. The Bulgarian side expressed its appreciation to the Government of Japan for the support provided for the transition to market economy, which has contributed to, inter alia, the improvement of the investment climate in the Republic of Bulgaria. Particularly, both sides noted with satisfaction the signing of the Agreement on Technical Cooperation between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria.

16. Recognizing that the Kyoto Protocol is an extremely significant element in strengthening the international framework against climate change, both sides expressed the expectation for bilateral cooperation in joint implementation and emissions trading with the participation of the Japanese private sector under the Kyoto Protocol.

Cultural Exchange and Exchange of Persons

17. Recognizing the significance of cultural exchange as a foundation for promoting mutual understanding, both sides reconfirmed their interest in each other's culture, both traditional and contemporary, and emphasized their will to enhance exchanges in a variety of fields.

18. The Bulgarian side expressed deep gratitude for the grant assistance provided by the Government of Japan for the promotion of Bulgarian culture, education and preservation of Bulgarian cultural heritage and expressed its high appreciation of the announcement of the cultural grant aid by the Government of Japan for the supply of sound and recording equipment to the Sofia National Opera and Ballet.

19. Both sides expressed their hope that the pavilion of the Republic of Bulgaria at the "2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan", as well as the presentation of Bulgarian culture in Japan during the Exposition would contribute significantly to further enhancement of the mutual understanding between the peoples of both countries.

20. Recognizing that tourism is one of the most important instruments to bring together the peoples and cultures of the countries, both sides expressed their hope for more frequent visits of tourists in both directions.

21. The Bulgarian side welcomed the decision of the Government of Japan to exempt visa requirements for the nationals of the Republic of Bulgaria for short-term stay in Japan. Both sides expressed their hope that this decision will enhance economic relations and people-to-people exchange between the two countries.

22. Both sides expressed their willingness to further promote the exchange of scientists and experts and shared the view that there is a significant potential for cooperation between the two countries in the area of science and technology.

23. Both sides welcomed the grass-roots exchanges between Japan and the Republic of Bulgaria at the local authorities and citizens' level and between non-governmental, youth and sports organizations as an important channel for building mutual trust and friendship between the two peoples.

Tokyo, December 15th, 2004

Junichiro Koizumi
Prime Minister of Japan
Simeon Saxe-Coburg
Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria

Mr. Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister of Japan, and Mr. Simeon Saxe-Coburg, Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria, held a meeting on December 15th, 2004 in Tokyo during the official visit to Japan of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria and issued the following statement.
Overview and Perspective of the Bilateral Relations
1.	Reconfirming the traditionally friendly relations and partnership between Japan and the Republic of Bulgaria in a wide range of fields, both sides noted with satisfaction the steady implementation of the "Joint Announcement on New Partnership between Japan and the Republic of Bulgaria" issued in Tokyo in March 2003.
2.	The Bulgarian Prime Minister expressed his deep gratitude to the Government and the people of Japan for their extensive support for the reforms in the Republic of Bulgaria. The Japanese side praised the efforts of the Bulgarian Government and people for establishing democracy and a functioning market economy and reaffirmed its intention to continue to provide support for the efforts of the Bulgarian people towards social and economic development of the Republic of Bulgaria and thereby to further strengthen the bilateral relations.
3.	Both sides also shared the view that the forthcoming membership of the Republic of Bulgaria in the European Union (EU) provides new opportunities for closer bilateral cooperation. Recognizing that the enlargement of the EU in 2004 has contributed to the stability of the whole region, the Japanese side expressed its sincere hope that the relationship with the Republic of Bulgaria as a future EU member-state would be further enhanced not only on a bilateral basis but also within the context of the overall cooperation between Japan and the EU.
Cooperation on International Agenda
4.	Both sides reiterated their willingness to promote political dialogue on a bilateral basis and within multilateral frameworks in order to enhance global security and prosperity. Both sides confirmed that the shared values of democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law and the principles of market economy, as well as their close views on major international issues provide a solid basis for cooperation in the field of foreign policy.
5.	The Bulgarian side praised the constructive role of Japan in global political and economic affairs, as well as its efforts in maintaining and strengthening peace, security and stability. In this connection, the Bulgarian side expressed its support for the activities of Japan as a non-permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council for 2005-2006.
6.	Noting the Republic of Bulgaria's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) since March 2004 and the final stage of its accession process to the EU, the Japanese side appreciated that both as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2002-2003 and as Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Chairman-in-Office in 2004, the Republic of Bulgaria has been playing a constructive role in decision making on major international issues and in dealing with the threats to security in the 21st century: countering terrorism, promoting democracy, security and stability.
7.	Both sides reaffirmed their determination to cooperate actively within the framework of the UN for promoting international peace, security and prosperity in the 21st century and noted the importance of peaceful settlement of international conflicts as provided in the UN Charter. Both sides stressed the need to strengthen the UN addressing new threats to the international community and expressed their determination to work together for the early realization of UN reforms, which should enhance its capacity, efficiency and effectiveness, inter alia, the reform of the Security Council including the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership. In this context, the Bulgarian side reiterated its support for Japan to become a permanent member of the Security Council.
8.	Both sides expressed their concern over the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear and missile issues and the issue of the Japanese citizens forcefully and illegally abducted to the DPRK, and emphasized the need for an early resumption of the Six-Party Talks.
9.	Both sides underlined the continuing importance of a stable Iraq for the preservation of regional stability, as well as the need for the international community to support the work of the interim Iraqi Government with a view to the elections to be held in accordance with the time table set out in UN Security Council Resolution 1546. Both sides also emphasized the importance of maintaining the multilateral effort for rehabilitation and reconstruction and continuing to work closely together.
10.	With regard to the recent presidential election in Ukraine, both sides underlined the importance of consolidation of democracy in Ukraine as well as its territorial integrity. The Japanese side highly appreciated efforts made by the Republic of Bulgaria as a chair of the OSCE in appealing to the parties concerned and building consensus of the international community on this matter.
11.	Both sides recognized the importance of peace and stability in Southeastern Europe and underlined their determination to further enhance the dialogue and cooperation to promote greater security and economic development in the region. The Japanese side expressed its high appreciation of the constructive policy of the Republic of Bulgaria as a stabilizing factor in Southeastern Europe and its efforts to promote multifaceted regional cooperation to ensure security and prosperity in the region. The Bulgarian side praised Japan's contribution towards the consolidation of peace and stability in the region.
12.	Both sides emphasized the importance of cooperation in countering global threats such as terrorism, international organized crime, trafficking of drugs and persons, and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. In particular, both sides shared the view that combating international terrorism and organized crime requires coordinated and resolute actions by the entire international community and in compliance with the twelve counter-terrorism international conventions and protocols as well as the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Both sides also welcomed UN Security Council Resolution 1540 adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter in order to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.
Economic Relations
13.	Sharing the view that strong economic ties are the key to maintaining and developing the overall bilateral relations, both sides expressed their willingness to further promote trade and investment.
14.	The Bulgarian side reaffirmed its commitment to undertaking concrete steps to attract Japanese direct investment and to boost two-way trade through close consultation with the Japanese side.
15.	The Bulgarian side expressed its appreciation to the Government of Japan for the support provided for the transition to market economy, which has contributed to, inter alia, the improvement of the investment climate in the Republic of Bulgaria. Particularly, both sides noted with satisfaction the signing of the Agreement on Technical Cooperation between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria.
16.	Recognizing that the Kyoto Protocol is an extremely significant element in strengthening the international framework against climate change, both sides expressed the expectation for bilateral cooperation in joint implementation and emissions trading with the participation of the Japanese private sector under the Kyoto Protocol.
Cultural Exchange and Exchange of Persons
17.	Recognizing the significance of cultural exchange as a foundation for promoting mutual understanding, both sides reconfirmed their interest in each other's culture, both traditional and contemporary, and emphasized their will to enhance exchanges in a variety of fields.
18.	The Bulgarian side expressed deep gratitude for the grant assistance provided by the Government of Japan for the promotion of Bulgarian culture, education and preservation of Bulgarian cultural heritage and expressed its high appreciation of the announcement of the cultural grant aid by the Government of Japan for the supply of sound and recording equipment to the Sofia National Opera and Ballet.
19.	Both sides expressed their hope that the pavilion of the Republic of Bulgaria at the "2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan", as well as the presentation of Bulgarian culture in Japan during the Exposition would contribute significantly to further enhancement of the mutual understanding between the peoples of both countries.
20.	Recognizing that tourism is one of the most important instruments to bring together the peoples and cultures of the countries, both sides expressed their hope for more frequent visits of tourists in both directions.
21.	The Bulgarian side welcomed the decision of the Government of Japan to exempt visa requirements for the nationals of the Republic of Bulgaria for short-term stay in Japan. Both sides expressed their hope that this decision will enhance economic relations and people-to-people exchange between the two countries.
22.	Both sides expressed their willingness to further promote the exchange of scientists and experts and shared the view that there is a significant potential for cooperation between the two countries in the area of science and technology.
23.	Both sides welcomed the grass-roots exchanges between Japan and the Republic of Bulgaria at the local authorities and citizens' level and between non-governmental, youth and sports organizations as an important channel for building mutual trust and friendship between the two peoples.

Tokyo, December 15th, 2004

JOINT STATEMENT ON PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN JAPAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA

Junichiro KoizumiPrime Minister of Japan

Simeon Saxe-CoburgPrime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria

Junichiro Koizumi
Prime Minister of Japan

Simeon Saxe-Coburg
Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria