[Title] Japan-Pakistan Joint Declaration: Japan-Pakistan at a new frontier - Towards a renewed, enhanced and robust relationship
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan and President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz of Pakistan, reaffirming the importance of close and cooperative relations between Japan and Pakistan, declare their commitment as follows:
1. Deepening and widening of Japan-Pakistan relations
Since the establishment of their diplomatic relations in 1952, Japan and Pakistan have fostered close relations over the years through high-level exchanges and multi-faceted government and private-sector cooperation. In particular, Pakistan's importance in the global fight against terrorism in the aftermath of the 11th September, 2001 has served to strengthen these cooperative ties. With the visit of Prime Minister Koizumi to Pakistan, relations between the two countries have entered a new phase where they are further expanding their strong collaboration at all levels.
2. The importance of closer cooperation
The Governments of Japan and Pakistan mutually recognize the importance of each other's role in the international community and confirm their shared conviction that it is vital to have even closer cooperation between the two states on issues and challenges of common interest and concern.
The Governments of Japan and Pakistan have common interest in the future of Asia, with special focus on counter-terrorism, non-proliferation, economic co-operation and the propagation of democratic values, human rights, rule of law and market economy. In light of their shared objectives and common interest, Japan and Pakistan reaffirm their strong commitment to closely cooperate on various issues so as to ensure security, stability and prosperity of Asia.
Japan recognizes the geopolitical importance of Pakistan, which is situated at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. Japan pays tribute to Pakistan's role in the fight against terrorism, its continuing efforts towards establishing a democratic and modern Islamic polity under the principles of "Enlightened Moderation" expounded by President Musharraf, and welcomes progress in this regard.
Pakistan expresses its appreciation for the generous economic and technical assistance provided to it by Japan for over 50 years, and holds in high regard Japan's important role in promoting peace and prosperity in the world, inter-alia, through its cooperation with developing countries as well as its participation in UN peace-keeping operations.
3. Tackling common challenges
Under the aforementioned shared recognition, the Governments of Japan and Pakistan declare their commitment to tackle common challenges in the new phase of Japan-Pakistan relations to the following effect.
i. Fight against terrorism
Japan and Pakistan share the view that terrorism remains one of the most serious issues confronting the international society, and are determined to continue counter-terrorism cooperation with each other and with other like-minded countries.
Japan holds in high regard Pakistan's efforts as a front-line state against terrorism and its resolve to persevere in this regard.
The Governments of Japan and Pakistan will continue to strengthen their counter-terrorism cooperation, which is evidenced by the provision of fuel-oil and fresh water by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force to Pakistan's naval vessels participating in the Operation Enduring Freedom-Maritime Interdiction Operation (OEF-MIO) in the Indian Ocean. Japan-Pakistan counter-terrorism cooperation will be further enhanced through exchange of information as well as capacity building assistance.
ii. Regional affairs
Japan pays tribute to Pakistan's vital role in Asian and South Asian affairs in which Japan has an abiding interest.
Japan welcomes the Composite Dialogue process, which includes Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), Jammu and Kashmir and other bilateral issues, between Pakistan and India aimed at peacefully resolving Pakistan-India differences, and hopes for its success. Japan also welcomes the recent positive developments resulting from this process, including launching of bus service and the successful visit by President Musharraf to India.
The Governments of Japan and Pakistan reiterate their acknowledgement of the potential of SAARC in bringing stability and prosperity to the South Asian region, and earnestly hope that the situation surrounding SAARC would be normalised.
The Governments of Japan and Pakistan recognise that the stability and development of Afghanistan is vital for regional stability, and will continue their support to Afghanistan.
iii. Sustainable development
The Government of Japan, taking into account the vital role that Pakistan plays in the international community and the improvement in Pakistan's economy achieved through a number of domestic reforms, has decided to extend new yen loans amounting to about 16,400 million yen (up to 12,523 million yen for "Lower Chenab Canal System Rehabilitation Project" and up to 3,839 million yen for "Load Dispatch System Upgrade Project").
On 30 April, 2005, Agreement on Technical Cooperation between the Governments of Japan and Pakistan was signed, which will contribute to the further promotion of the economic and social development of Pakistan through smooth implementation of technical cooperation.
By exchanging notes, on 30 April, 2005, regarding the grant aid for two projects- the Faisalabad water purifying plant project and Taunsa Barrage rehabilitation project- Japan has fulfilled the pledge of 300 million dollars grant aid, made in 2001. Japan will continue to provide support to future projects for the enhancement of the welfare of the people of Pakistan.
Pakistan sincerely appreciates Japan's generous technical and financial assistance since 1954, in recognition of which special postage stamps were issued by Pakistan in 2004. The Government of Pakistan remains committed to the utilisation of Japan's development assistance in the best interest of the people of Pakistan.
iv. Disarmament and non-proliferation
The Governments of Japan and Pakistan recognize that disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery are pressing issues for the international community and reaffirm the importance of joint efforts by the international community in tackling these challenges.
The Governments of Japan and Pakistan reaffirm their commitment to strengthen international disarmament and non-proliferation framework. In this context, Japan reiterates its position regarding the NPT and the CTBT, and takes note of Pakistan's position in this regard as well as decision to observe unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing.
The two governments share the serious concern regarding international black market networks for the proliferation of technologies and equipment related to weapons of mass destruction and underscore the need for all countries to identify and dismantle such networks through cooperative efforts.
The Government of Japan reiterates its position on North Korea, which attaches overarching importance to bringing about a comprehensive solution to the issues relating to North Korea including the issue of nuclear programs, missile development and abduction. The Government of Pakistan supports the six-party talks on the issues of North Korea's nuclear programs and other issues and hopes all issues will be resolved through peaceful means. The Government of Pakistan also supports a nuclear weapons free Korean Peninsula.
The Governments of Japan and Pakistan will continue to consult and to expand practical cooperation in such areas as export controls. In this context, the two Governments will continue to hold bilateral Consultation on Disarmament and Non-proliferation issues in the context of Japan-Pakistan Security Dialogue.
v. UN Reforms
The Government of Japan and Pakistan underline the need for comprehensive reform of the UN to enable it to effectively respond to the challenges of the 21st century. Since reform of the Security Council is an important component of the overall reform agenda and is of vital importance to the entire UN membership, the Security Council must be made more effective, credible and representative. The two Governments further note the importance of promoting the reform of the UN with the aims of strengthening multilateralism, reinforcing the role of the UN in maintaining and promoting international peace, security and sustainable development, as well as ensuring greater participation for all Member States and share among Asian countries in its decision-making process.
The Government of Japan expresses its view that the Security Council should be made more effective, credible and representative through the expansion of its membership in both permanent and non-permanent categories. The Government of Pakistan appreciates Japan's increasing role in the UN in the maintenance of international peace and stability as well as for development. The Government of Pakistan expresses its view that the reform of the Security Council can be achieved through an appropriate expansion in the non-permanent category.
Both governments will continue to hold further constructive consultations on this issue.
4. Bilateral dialogue between Japan and Pakistan
The Governments of Japan and Pakistan are of the view that both states have benefited from reciprocal visits by their leaders as well as dialogue at various levels and in different areas. This has played an important role in providing Japan-Pakistan relations with dynamism. Both governments will continue, inter-alia, to hold regularly Political Dialogue, Security Dialogue, High-Level Economic Dialogue and the Joint Business-Government Dialogue. Both countries will also continue high-level exchanges including between their leaders.
Islamabad
30 April, 2005