Indonesia - Japan Joint Statement “Partners for New Challenges”
1. On June 2, 2005, in Tokyo, H.E. Mr. Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister
of Japan, and H.E. Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of the Republic
of Indonesia, held in-depth discussions and reaffirmed their commitment to
promoting closer and stronger bilateral relations, elevating them to a new
height so that the two countries sharing common vision may work closely
together as Partners for New Challenges in a rapidly changing
international environment.
The two leaders noted with satisfaction that their meeting was the fourth
one between them in a period of half a year. They have decided to hold
annual summits, taking advantage of opportunities at regional and
multilateral meetings.
2. (Partners for New Challenges) The two leaders recalled that Japan and
Indonesia have, for decades, fostered a strong and longstanding
relationship based on mutual trust and a set of common values: democracy
and human rights, tolerance, rule of law, aspiration for peace, and
principles of open economy. For Indonesia, Japan has long been its most
important partner in trade, investment, and development assistance. For
Japan, Indonesia has been a major partner, given its political and
economic importance in Asia.
President Yudhoyono expressed his appreciation for Japan’s contribution
since the end of World War II to the peace and prosperity of Asia and the
world. Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his gratitude to President
Yudhoyono’s appreciation and stated Japan’s resolve to continue to play
its role for the peace and prosperity of the region and the world in the
future. Prime Minister Koizumi also acknowledged Indonesia’s active role
in maintaining peace in the world and the region.
3. (The Earthquake and Tsunami) The devastating earthquake and tsunami
that occurred in Aceh and North Sumatra on 26 December 2004, as well as
another quake in Nias and its neighboring islands on 28 March 2005, deeply
shocked the people of Indonesia and Japan. President Yudhoyono expressed
his appreciation for the generous, prompt, and heartfelt assistance
extended by the people and government of Japan, a true testimony to the
closeness of the bilateral ties. In this regard, President Yudhoyono
expressed his determination to swiftly and effectively utilize Japanese
financial contribution. Prime Minister Koizumi reiterated Japan’s
commitment to continuing its assistance in the reconstruction of Aceh.
4. (Four Areas for New Challenges) To strengthen cooperation between the
two countries, the two leaders have identified four areas of interest for
immediate cooperation, as elaborated in the following documents :
(1) Joint Announcement of the Japanese Prime Minister and the Indonesian
President on the Cooperation between the two countries on Disaster
Reduction
(2) Joint Announcement on the commencement of negotiations on the
Japan-Indonesia Economic Partnership Agreement
(3) Joint Announcement of the Japan-Indonesia Strategic Investment Action
Plan (SIAP)
(4) Japan-Indonesia Joint Announcement on Maritime Affairs
5. (For Reform and Development) Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his
strong support for political, economic and social reforms being instituted
in Indonesia under the leadership of President Yudhoyono. Prime Minister
Koizumi also stated that Japan would continue to support Indonesia’s
development efforts by extending assistance for infrastructure
improvement, poverty reduction and good governance through Official
Development Assistance and private funds, and that Japan would also
support Indonesia’s efforts to improve its investment climate. President
Yudhoyono expressed the hope that the volume of Japanese investment in
Indonesia would double as a result of a better business climate. Such a
positive development, President Yudhoyono said, would also benefit small
and medium-sized enterprises. The two leaders expressed the shared hope
that stronger economic ties between their two countries, as a result of
increased investment flows from Japan to Indonesia, would lead to
accelerated economic growth and greater prosperity in Indonesia.
6. (People-to-People contacts) Prime Minister Koizumi and President
Yudhoyono reaffirmed their commitment to broaden and deepen bilateral
relations through better mutual understanding. Cultural and educational
exchanges as well as tourism are among the areas of potential to be
explored.
In this context, the two leaders shared the view that strengthening
people-to-people contacts, particularly among the younger generations,
promotes friendship and greater understanding and underscored the
importance of scholarship programs and other initiatives which facilitate
youth exchange.
7. (Eminent Persons’ Group) The two leaders reconfirmed the establishment
of the Eminent Persons’ Group and underscored its importance to provide
them with strategic recommendations on means to further broaden and deepen
the bilateral relations through new initiatives in the areas including
politics, economy, culture, education and tourism. They decided to
expedite necessary procedures for its early establishment, including
appointment of co-chairs.
8. (Territorial integrity of Indonesia) On the issue of separatist
movement in Indonesia, President Yudhoyono explained the development of
the situation, including the implementation of special autonomy law. Prime
Minister Koizumi reaffirmed Japan’s full support for the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of the Republic of Indonesia, and expressed his
government’s continued support for the recent efforts of the Government of
Indonesia regarding Aceh to seek a peaceful solution through dialogue.
9. (Facing New Challenges in the International Arena)
(1) The two leaders shared the view that it is becoming increasingly
important for Japan and Indonesia to explore the potential of more active
cooperation and coordination in matters of regional and international
concern in order to be more effective in conduct of our foreign policies.
Indonesia and Japan will work together, for example, to make progress
toward the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to
promote United Nations reform in a comprehensive manner, including
Security Council reform based on the models expanding its membership in
both permanent and non-permanent categories, so that it may effectively
cope with the challenges of the 21st century.
(2) The two leaders shared the vision of an open, transparent and
inclusive East Asia cooperation, which contributes to stability and growth
of the region. For this purpose, they reiterated their commitment to work
toward the success of the East Asia Summit and the realization of an East
Asia community.
(3) The two leaders underscored the importance of the Asian-African Summit
2005 held in Jakarta on 23 April 2005 and shared a view that, a New
Asian-African Strategic Partnership (NAASP) adopted at the Summit,
together with the initiatives of the Tokyo International Conference on
African Development (TICAD), would facilitate enhanced cooperation between
the two continents.
10. (Transnational Crimes and Terrorism) The two leaders recognized the
need to strengthen cooperation on combating transnational crimes such as
terrorism, sea piracy, arms smuggling, money laundering, illicit drug
trafficking, trafficking in persons, cyber crime, and international
economic crime, and non-traditional security threats such as outbreaks of
diseases. They emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation
through forging closer partnerships between relevant authorities including
the exchange of information. Prime Minister Koizumi highly valued the
leadership of President Yudhoyono in the fight against terrorism and
expressed continued support for capacity building to this effect.
11. (Combating Illegal Logging) The two leaders reaffirmed the need for
strengthening cooperation on combating illegal logging and the trade in
illegally logged timber and wood products, including development of the
systems for verification of legal compliance, as contained in the 2003
Joint Announcement and Action Plan. They recognized that the Asia Forest
Partnership (AFP) and International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO)
would provide with good basis for regional and multilateral cooperation in
this regard.
Signed at Tokyo, June 2, 2005.
___________________________ ____________________________
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Junichiro Koizumi
President Prime Minister
Republic of Indonesia Japan