Declaration for a new France-Japan partnership
– for peace, stability and prosperity in the international community –
(Unofficial Translation)
On the occasion of the summit held 27 March 2005 in Tokyo between Mr. Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister of Japan, and M. Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic, it was decided that new impetus would be given to relations between France and Japan.
Taking as a basis the substantial progresses already achieved in all spheres and made possible by the 20-point action plan signed on 18 November 1996, France and Japan thus solemnly reaffirm their determination to strengthen still further the bonds of friendship and trust between them, and to develop their relations in the context of a special partnership. The two leaders reaffirm that Japan and France have important roles to play and major responsibilities on the international scene, and are convinced that the maturity of their bilateral relationship contributes not only to the peace and prosperity of the peoples of both countries, but also to stability and prosperity in Asia, Europe and the international community as a whole.
Wishing to further mutual understanding, the two leaders have adopted principles for close cooperation between the two governments over the medium and long terms, setting as objectives the strengthening of their bilateral relations, the achievement and maintenance of peace and stability in the international community, and cooperation to promote development and prosperity.
Strengthening framework for Franco-Japanese relations
1 - Development of high-level dialogue:
In order to allow the two countries to deepen their mutual understanding in the sphere of security, economics and contacts between peoples, and to develop their cooperation more effectively, the two leaders agreed to continue regular summit meetings and to develop and strengthen high-level strategic dialogue on foreign affairs and security, as well as on defence issues, notably between the diplomatic advisor of the President of the French Republic and the diplomatic advisor of the Prime Minister of Japan.
2 - Creation of a framework conducive to the development of exchanges:
In a context in which a large number of private initiatives, and the energy of French and Japanese enterprises, their investments and their alliances, have created a flow of trade and a degree of solidarity between the two countries without precedent, for many years now the French and Japanese have demonstrated their mutual interest, their capacity to create and act together, and they should be further encouraged to do so. The signing of the Agreement on Social Security between France and Japan on 25 February 2005 sends out to the business communities in both countries a strong signal to that effect. The forthcoming revision of the bilateral tax convention will also contribute to this.
With a view to increasing in a significant way in human exchanges, notably cultural and scientific, between France and Japan, as demonstrated in the opening of the Japan Cultural Institute in Paris, both leaders encourage public and private initiatives to enable French and Japanese young people to study and take up internships in the each other's country, taking most notably as a basis fruitful discussions between representatives of civil society in the two countries in the Forum for Franco-Japanese Dialogue. Similarly, the experience acquired by the Franco-Japanese Doctoral College and the Franco-Japanese Society for Youth Exchanges, in addition to the achievements of twinned local authorities and to the promotion of tourism, could be used to further the promotion of the teaching and learning of the each other's language and to develop exchanges for students and young people.
3- Development of France-Japan partnership serving sustainable development
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate closely to achieve sustainable development that would enable the international community, including developing countries, to gain the benefits of globalisation.
In order to achieve this goal, the two leaders, welcoming the expansion of investment between France and Japan in both ways, agreed to develop France-Japan partnership actively, including scientific cooperation, in sectors such as information and communications technology, life science and space, and nanotechnology.
Both leaders emphasised the importance of environmental issues and the combat against global warming, and confirmed that they would closely cooperate in areas of mutual interest. In this connection, they will cooperate to tackle the greenhouse effect, to carry out actions of 3R type (reduction, recycling, reutilisation), to prevent natural disasters, especially the tsunami issue, and act for biodiversity, water and sanitation where the two countries possess affluent expertise.
France-Japan cooperation will also be actively pursued in the field of technology related to energy and the environment, nuclear energy and nuclear fuel recycling.
Cooperation for peace and stability in the international community
4 - Working together in a renovated multilateral system
The two leaders recalled their commitment to multilateralism as the preferred means for preventing and settling crises. The United Nations plays a central role in this area and must be strengthened in order to allow it to continue to bear this responsibility in a even more efficient and effective manner.
If the Security Council is to better reflect the present reality more effectively, it will be necessary to increase the number of both its permanent and non-permanent membership, bringing in new members from developed and developing nations. In this context, France reaffirms its support for Japan's aspiration to permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.
Both countries subscribe to the approach of the Secretary General which recommends a decision on this point before the September 2005 summit. They will cooperate to achieve this goal. In the run-up to this summit, the two countries are determined to pursue their efforts to realise the reforms essential to give new impetus to the activities of the United Nations in the area of peace and security, development, environment and protection of human rights, and to strengthen its central role in these domains.
In the Security Council, the two countries will consult with each other on all issues placed on the agenda.
5 – Coping with threats to the international community
The two leaders confirmed that their countries would cooperate closely in international fora such as the United Nations on settlement of conflicts and consolidation of peace in the world, in order to achieve of peace and stability in the international community.
The two leaders confirmed that international terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction were urgent issues to be resolved, which would require strengthening of bilateral cooperation between the authorities responsible for domestic security, as well as cooperation between the two countries in the multilateral framework within the United Nations or the G8.
6 - Commitment to regional stability
The movement of Europe toward unification is now irreversible, and regional cooperation in Asia is making steady progress. Both leaders reiterated their satisfaction at the active role played by the two countries in Asia and Europe, and confirmed their mutual support for their commitments to stability in their regions.
Japan has set out its analysis of the security situation in East Asia and its perception that significant uncertainties continue to exist. France expressed its desire to make an active contribution alongside Japan to sustainable peace and stability in the region. In this context, the two leaders emphasised the particular importance of strengthened France-Japan strategic dialogue in order to follow developments of the situation in the region and to elaborate common analysis, notably on security issues. Concerning North Korea in particular, the two leaders agreed on the importance of total abandonment of all nuclear programmes by North Korea and rapid resumption of the six-party talks. France also expressed its support for the efforts made by Japan to resolve the issue of the abduction of Japanese citizens.
In addition, both leaders reaffirmed the role of their countries in the Middle East, notably with regard to the peace process, stability in Iraq, confidence-building between Iran and the international community, and the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
The two leaders request the full implementation of UNSC Resolution 1559 for a sovereign, independent and democratic Lebanon, to which the Lebanese people have spectacularly shown their commitment. In this context they take note of the commitments expressed by the Syrian president on the total withdrawal of Syrian armed forces and secret services from the Lebanese territory, in compliance with the resolution, expecting that the withdrawal be implemented effectively and without delay. They also underline the importance of the organisation of free and fair elections in Lebanon without external interference.
They confirmed that both countries would be coordinating and cooperating more closely in this region, which is extremely important for stability and peace in the world.
Both leaders follow closely the situation in Kyrgyzstan and call for a peaceful and democratic solution of the crisis.
Cooperation on development and the prosperity of the international community
7 - Promotion of development and poverty reduction.
France and Japan will consult with each other on arrangements and methods for effective pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) taking as a basis the outcome of the discussions in the G8, the United Nations International Conference on Financing for Development, and the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD).
France and Japan will also exchange views on proposals for the improvement of world economic, social and environmental governance, for the promotion of human security, and for the examination of innovative ways to the financing of development.
8 - Acting together for Africa
Both leaders reaffirm their view that “there will be no stability or prosperity in the world unless the problems of Africa are resolved”. They welcome the initiatives taken by African countries themselves to prevent or resolve conflicts, for development based on the concept of ownership, beginning with African integration (the African Union and regional organisations) and the promotion of NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's Development). They agreed to cooperate closely in international fora such as the G8 and the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).
In this connection, both leaders actively support the efforts of African countries in areas such as agriculture, trade and investment as well as development of private sector, which are particularly important for poverty reduction through growth and the consolidation of peace. The two countries will also be cooperating in the area of drinking water supplies, combating infectious diseases (AIDS in particular) and the protection of tropical forests. They also encourage newly developed countries to engage themselves to this.
9 - Managing globalisation
France and Japan reaffirmed the importance they attach to the success of the multilateral negotiations launched in Doha, the so-called development round, which should reinforce multilateral trade system. Both countries will reinforce their efforts to ensure a swift and conclusive outcome for this round , while taking into account most notably the multifunctional nature of agriculture, rational use of non-renewable resources, and the environmental dimensions of international trade.
Both parties agree on the importance of cultural diversity and have agreed to cooperate to ensure a successful outcome to the negotiations currently under way for the Convention on the Protection of Cultural Diversity under the aegis of UNESCO.
Both countries also agree on the importance of taking action to protect intellectual property rights, beginning with measures to combat counterfeiting and piracy, especially in Asia.