23 December 2002 00:00
RUSSIAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IGOR IVANOV INTERVIEW WITH NHK, JAPANESE BROADCASTING CORPORATION (TOKYO, DECEMBER 19, 2002)
Question: The first question - concerning relations between Russia and Japan. Among relations between the G8 countries Russian relations with Japan are believed to lag the most. In this connection, what results do you expect from the upcoming visit of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to Russia?
Foreign Minister Ivanov: First of all I want to say that Russian-Japanese relations are on the rise. For certain reasons these relations did not develop, regrettably, as fast as we would have liked. But it is my firm conviction that both Moscow and Tokyo have the political will to develop our ties in all fields. In order, as you correctly said, to take them to the level which our countries - Russia and Japan alike - have with the other G8 nations. In this both Russia and Japan are interested, and this meets security interests in the Asia-Pacific region. It is from this angle that we examine the upcoming visit of the Japanese Prime Minister to Russia. We are now intensively getting ready for this visit. With this aim I came to Tokyo, and we are confident that the upcoming talks between President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and the resulting agreements will help advance our relations substantially on many issues of mutual concern.
Question: What should the two countries do now to solve the territorial problem and conclude a peace treaty?
Foreign Minister Ivanov: Our generation has inherited the problem of territorial demarcation from the past. This complicated problem has now been in existence for many years and for many years negotiations have been going on. It can't be said that we stand still - there is some definite movement forward. A whole variety of important bilateral statements have been made where the positions are recorded. We hold that it is necessary to carry on these negotiations in the spirit of mutual understanding. For them to be more effective a favorable background needs to be created, along with the expansion of cooperation in other areas - political, economic - and in coordination on the international scene so as, advancing on a broad front in developing our relations, to shape positive conditions for the peace treaty negotiations as well.
Question: You have mentioned other fields. Is the signing of a document expected during the upcoming visit? What specific cooperation can be expected in the economic field, in particular, in the energy field?
Foreign Minister Ivanov: During the upcoming talks between the Russian President and the Japanese Prime Minister in Moscow a joint statement of the two leaders is expected to be signed endorsing the Plan of Action. The Plan of Action is a unique documents which encompasses various fields of cooperation. It consists of six chapters which cover the political domain, continued negotiations on a peace treaty and cooperation in the trade and economic field, security, the cultural, scientific and ecological fields; that is, it is an all-embracing document covering the various fields of ties between our countries. As regards the trade and economic area, we of course have quite a lot of interests. Our economies are mutually complementary. I am confident that both Russia and Japan should be interested in expanding trade-and-economic cooperation, which, of course, does not match the present level of our states. The energy field is one of the most promising because Russia has considerable energy resources and Japan, naturally, needs those resources. Expanding cooperation in this field, to our mind, will ensure a guaranteed supply to Japan of energy carriers. This is what Japan is interested in and this, of course, meets the interests of Russia. We hope that questions of our economic cooperation for the long term will also be considered in the course of the talks between President Putin and Prime Minister Koizumi.
Question: Please describe the situation around North Korea. How does Russia cooperate with Japan now in order to persuade Pyongyang to give up carrying on its nuclear program?
Foreign Minister Ivanov: Russia favors the nuclear-free status of the Korean Peninsula and the strict observance of the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons. It is guided by these principles that we approach consideration of the situation on the Korean Peninsula. We hold that a solution to the problems of concern to the parties needs to be sought through the expansion of dialogue and contacts between the DPRK and neighbors, above all the Republic of Korea and Japan, as well as with the United States. That's why we welcome the results of the visit of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to the DPRK that have helped start a constructive dialogue between the two countries. We feel that it is through dialogue that a solution ought to be sought to the problems that exist or may exist, including questions connected with concerns about the nuclear and missile programs of the DPRK. For our part, we will render all the necessary assistance for such a dialogue to be resumed in order to avoid an exacerbation of the situation on the Korean Peninsula, which does of course worry both neighbors and Russia. We must of course do everything necessary to prevent its exacerbation.
Question: What talks is Russia conducting with Pyongyang now?
Foreign Minister Ivanov: We are currently engaged in an active dialogue with the DPRK and with other countries. Tomorrow we will discuss this topic in Washington in order to find possible solutions which, I repeat, would enable continuing the political settlement process on the Korean Peninsula. This is not simple because mutual suspicions have accumulated over years, distrust has accumulated. Russia as a country having friendly relations with the DPRK and maintaining active contacts with Japan will try to use its political potential to ease the resumption of a constructive dialogue.
Question: How do you assess the situation around Iraq now? Are you satisfied with the way Iraq treats UN inspectors?
Foreign Minister Ivanov: The international community, and in the first place the members of the Security Council, made a very strong political move by unanimously approving Resolution 1441. This cleared the way for the resumption of inspection activity in Iraq. Now it is the task of the international community to ensure the inspectors' efficient work there. We, for our part, intend to contribute to this actively, using all our possibilities. In so doing we must trust the international inspectors, the commission of Hans Blix and the commission of IAEA, who should enjoy full support and trust from the Security Council and we must orient ourselves to their assessments and not exert any pressure on them in this or that direction. According to the information we have at hand, the current activity of the inspectors is generally proceeding normally. We will closely be following it, as big, painstaking and complex work lies ahead and it is important to do everything possible for Rsolution 1441 to be fully complied with.
Question: Recently the United States and Britain said there are problems in the document which Iraq has presented. What can you say about that?
Foreign Minister Ivanov: The report presented by Iraq is being studied at UNMOVIC and IAEA, and we will orient ourselves precisely to their assessments. They must give an assessment to this report, whereupon we will draw our conclusions.
Question: What can you say regarding the report that Iraq has terminated the contract with Lukoil?
Foreign Minister Ivanov: This is a complicated question which has a certain history. We believe that no hasty decisions should be taken. If differences arise, they need to be resolved through negotiation. We are now engaged in such negotiations with the Iraqi side and will try to reach a solution which would satisfy both sides and would not cause unnecessary complications.
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