日俄開始実質磋商領土問題

Recently the NHK News on-line reported the following:

日ロ領土問題 実質的な協議開催で合意

11月1日 19時46分

日本とロシアの間で初めてとなる外務・防衛の閣僚協議が、２日、東京で開かれるのを前に、岸田外務大臣とラブロフ外相が１日夜会談し、北方領土問題の実質的な協議の場となる外務次官級の協議を、来年１月末から２月上旬の間に開催することで合意しました。

日本とロシアの間で初めてとなる外務・防衛の閣僚協議、いわゆる２＋２が、２日、東京で開かれるのを前に、岸田外務大臣とラブロフ外相が、１日夜、１時間余りにわたって会談しました。
会談では、北方領土問題の今後の具体的な協議の進め方などが話し合われ、実質的な協議の場となる外務次官級の協議を、来年１月末から２月上旬の間に開催することや、来年春をめどに、岸田大臣がロシアを訪問することで合意しました。
また、来年から、両国の外務省の間で、２国間関係、北朝鮮の核問題を巡る次官級協議や、北極開発、サイバー攻撃の対処などを話し合う実務者協議を定期的に行うことを確認したほか、ロシア国内で、日本企業が活動しやすくなるよう、滞在登録や労働許可の手続きを緩和する協定の締結に向けて、交渉を始めることを決めました。
会談のあと、両外相はそろって記者会見し、岸田大臣は「両国の間では、エネルギーや農業、医療などさまざまな分野で協力が進展しており、こうした分野を中心に日本企業のロシア進出を後押ししていきたい。 北方領土交渉は、次官級協議の進展を見ながら、首脳や外相レベルで協議することになる」と述べました。
またラブロフ外相は「きょうの会談でも、首脳どうしの合意の実現に双方が熱心だということが確認されるなど、両国関係は非常に活発だ。領土交渉は、お互い感情的にならず、挑発するような発言を避ける環境の中で行いたい」と述べました。

(試譯文)

In Tokyo on the 2^nd, before the starting of the cabinet-member deliberations on foreign affairs and defense, being the first time between Japan and Russia, Foreign Minister Kishida and Foreign Minister Lavrov together had discussion at night on the 1^st; they agreed to hold talks at the level of Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, using it as the platform for substantial deliberations over the Northern Territories issue at a time between the end of January and early February next year.

Foreign Minister Kishida and Foreign Minister Lavrov together talked for more than 1 hour at night on the 1st, before holding in Tokyo the cabinet-member deliberations on foreign affairs and defense on the 2^nd , being the so called the 2+2 which was the first time between Japan and Russia.

At the talk, ways to advance concrete deliberations of the issue about the future of the Northern Territories etc. were discussed, and it was agreed to hold deliberations at the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs level, and would use it as a platform for substantial deliberations at a time between the end of January and early February next year, and also for Minister Kishida to visit Russia within the limit of spring next year.

Moreover, among the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of both countries, from next year, talks at the vice minister level involving the North Korea nuclear issue, the management of the North Pole development issue, and on cyber assaults etc. were confirmed, and working-level talks would be performed to discuss these. On top of that in Russia, it was decided that negotiation would begin towards the conclusion of an agreement which could ease the registration backlog and the procedure for getting work permits so that Japanese companies could work easily.

Both foreign ministers gave an interview together after the talk; Minister Kishida said that “between the two countries, cooperation is progressing in various fields, such as energy, agriculture, medical treatment. I want to boost the advance of Japanese companies into Russia mainly in these areas. About the Northern Territories, while looking at the progress of the deputy-level talks, negotiation will be discussed at the top level or at the foreign minister level".

Moreover, Foreign Minister Lavrov said that "about today's talk on bilateral relation, it endorses the realization of an agreement between the head of the two states; and that both sides are eager and very active also. On the territorial issue, I would like to perform negotiations in an environment where we would not become mutually emotional and could avoid utterance which is provocative".

It seems that Russia and Japan are prepared to go into more concrete discussions so as to improve their mutual relationship.