[Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan] [Tuesday, Sep 29, 2015]
Japan-Ukraine Summit Meeting
On September 29 from 6 a.m. (September 28 at 5 p.m., local time) for approximately 35 minutes Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit meeting with Mr. Petro Oleksiyovych Poroshenko, President of Ukraine, at the United Nations Headquarters. An overview of the meeting is as follows: (From the Ukrainian side, Mr. Pavlo Klimkin, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Mr.Kostiantyn Yelisieiev, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine and others attended the meeting. From the Japanese side, Mr. Shinsuke Sugiyama, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, and others attended the meeting.)
1. Opening Remarks
Prime Minister Abe indicated to President Poroshenko that he believed his first visit to Ukraine this June as the Prime Minister of Japan has further advanced bilateral relations between the two countries. In response to this, President Poroshenko expressed his wish to continue the dynamic discussions between Japan and the Ukraine that have occurred over the past year. President Poroshenko also stated he would like to visit Japan at an appropriate time in the future, with both sides agreeing that a specific time will be coordinated by diplomatic routes from hereon.
2. Situation in Ukraine and Russia
Prime Minister Abe indicated that the cease-fire agreement in eastern Ukraine from September 1 is generally being upheld, and stated the situation still needs to be carefully monitored while also taking into account the outcome of the four-country summit meeting to be held under the Normandy Format on October 2. Prime Minister Abe also reaffirmed his intention for Japan, as the host country of the next G7 meeting, to play an even more proactive role towards achieving a diplomatic solution of the situation in Ukraine, while continuing to stress the importance of the solidarity of the G7. In response to this, President Poroshenko provided explanations on the current situation in Ukraine, and acknowledged the importance of working with Japan and the G7 to resolve this issue.
3. Internal reforms in Ukraine and assistance to Ukraine
Prime Minister Abe applauded the concrete advancements that have been made in the deployment of people, financial assistance, energy and other areas since the summit meeting with President Poroshenko this June, while also indicating that as long as the Ukraine proceeds with its internal reforms, Japan will continue to provide support to Ukraine in a wide range of fields, including the approximately USD 18.4 billion in assistance that has already been announced. In response to this, President Poroshenko once again expressed his deep gratitude for Japan’s assistance, and his strong intention to proceed with internal reforms in Ukraine. President Poroshenko also stated his earnest hope for the further entry of Japanese companies into the Ukrainian market.
4. Bilateral relations
Prime Minister Abe stated there has been steady progress in bilateral relations in a wide range of fields, such as people to people exchanges and the economy. Prime Minister Abe also indicated that particularly in the economic front, he is aiming for the early effectuation of the Japan-Ukraine Investment Agreement that was approved in Japan’s National Diet in September. In response to this, President Poroshenko stated that relations between Japan and Ukraine are currently at their historically highest ever level, and this has been aided by the mutual trust between the two countries. President Poroshenko also once again expressed his sincere gratitude for Japan’s assistance. Both leaders shared the view that Japan and Ukraine would work closely also in the international arena.
[Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan] [Tuesday, Sep 29, 2015]
Japan-Bangladesh Summit Meeting
On September 28 (Sun.), for approximately 20 minutes from 5:40 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time), Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit meeting with H.E. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, during his stay in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly.
1. Prime Minister Abe stated, “The relationship between the two countries has become unshakable through our historic mutual visits last year. I would like to continue to cooperate closely in the international arena including the promotion of the UN Security Council reform on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations.” He also expressed his desire to work together on the 2030 Agenda with Bangladesh, who showed excellent outcome in achieving of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and to further promote cooperation between the two countries in “the Comprehensive Partnership.” He expressed his expectations towards cooperation with Bangladesh through the 36th Yen Loan Package (total 133.3 billion yen) as part of the assistance of up to 600 billion yen already promised centering on the “Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt” (Big-B) initiative and further promotion of trade and investment between the two countries.
2. Prime Minister Hashina responded to this, stating, “Prime Minister Abe’s visit to Bangladesh last year was a splendid one. The Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Project and other cooperation projects by Japan are moving forward. I would like to develop special economic zones (SEZs) and bring in investment from Japan.” She also pointed out that the UN reform was extremely important, and expressed her wish that Japan will play an appropriate role as she has high hopes for the UN Security Council reform.
3. Prime Minister Abe also stated his desire to further contribute to regional and global peace, security and prosperity based on Japan’s policy of “Proactive Contribution to Peace” through the Legislation for Peace and Security that was enacted the other day. In response, Prime Minister Hashina expressed her belief that the Legislation for Peace and Security was splendid, congratulated its enactment, and expressed her high esteem for the effort.
