首相トルコ訪問 インフラ輸出に弾みつけたい

The Yomiuri Shimbun November 1, 2013
Govt, private sector should add impetus to infrastructure exports
首相トルコ訪問　インフラ輸出に弾みつけたい（10月31日付・読売社説）

Newly emerging countries such as Turkey, which has seen remarkable economic growth, offer very attractive opportunities for Japan, which has made infrastructure exports a major pillar of its growth strategy.
　インフラ（社会基盤）輸出を成長戦略の柱に据える日本にとって、経済成長著しいトルコなど新興国の魅力は大きい。

The public and private sectors should beef up their joint efforts to boost Japan’s exports to such countries.
　官民一体となった取り組みを強化することで、輸出に弾みをつけるべきだ。

At a summit meeting in Turkey with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe welcomed an agreement reached between an international consortium including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and the Turkish government on the construction of nuclear power reactors there.
　トルコを訪れた安倍首相は、エルドアン首相との会談で、三菱重工業などの企業連合がトルコ政府と原子力発電所建設で合意したことを歓迎した。

“It’s our nation’s duty to strengthen nuclear safety by sharing lessons learned from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant crisis with the world,” Abe declared at a joint press conference with Erdogan after their meeting in Istanbul.
　「福島第一原発事故の教訓を共有することにより、世界の原子力安全の向上を図っていくことはわが国の責務だ」とも表明した。

It is an important pending issue for Turkey to satisfy the growing electricity demand that has accompanied its economic growth. Construction of nuclear power plants is a project of national importance.
　トルコでは、経済成長に伴い拡大する電力需要をまかなうことが重要な課題だ。原発建設は国家的なプロジェクトと言える。

Amid fierce international competition over an order to construct four reactors, the Japan-led consortium succeeded in winning the bid largely as a result of the “top salesmanship” strategy of Abe, who visited the country again following a trip in May.
　国際的な受注合戦の末、日本企業が受注に成功したのは、５月に続いて再訪した首相の「トップセールス」の効果もあろう。

We praise the stance of the prime minister, who aims to make international contributions through nuclear power generation technology. By exporting reactors and related technology, it may be possible for Japan to secure nuclear engineers for the medium and long term.
　原発技術で国際貢献を目指す首相の姿勢は評価できる。原発を輸出することは、中長期的な原子力の技術者の確保にもつながる。

During the summit meeting between Abe and Erdogan, the two leaders agreed on the joint establishment of a science and technology university in Turkey. As one purpose of the school’s establishment is to foster nuclear industry experts, the university should serve as a base for technological assistance from Japan to Turkey.
　首脳会談では、トルコに科学技術大学を共同で設立することでも合意した。原子力分野の専門家育成も目的としており、日本からの技術支援の拠点としたい。

Progress on EPA needed

In addition to the field of nuclear power, bilateral cooperation has also been promoted in the area of transportation infrastructure, where projects include a railway.
　原発だけでなく、鉄道をはじめとした交通インフラでも日本の協力は進んでいる。

Abe attended the opening ceremony of an underwater subway tunnel connecting Asia and Europe across the Bosporus. The underwater tunnel was constructed through a joint venture between Taisei Corp. and Turkish companies. Of the total construction costs of about ¥390 billion, 40 percent was financed through yen loans from Japan.
　安倍首相は、アジアと欧州を結ぶボスポラス海峡の海底トンネルを通る地下鉄の開通式に出席した。大成建設などが工事を担当し、総工費約３９００億円の４割を円借款でまかなった。

As Turkey is situated at a geographically important location, the country can serve as an export base to Europe and elsewhere for Japanese companies that have set up operations in the country, including Toyota Motor Corp., or plan to do so.
　地理的な要衝に位置するトルコは、現地に進出した日本企業にとって、欧州などへの輸出拠点となる。トヨタ自動車などがすでに進出している。

It is necessary to accelerate bilateral negotiations on the conclusion of an economic partnership agreement. By creating an environment that promotes trade and investment, the cooperative relationship can be strengthened.
　日本とトルコの経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）交渉を加速させる必要がある。貿易や投資を促進するための環境を整えることで、さらに協力関係を強化すべきだ。

Turkey has been confronted with the administration of President Bashar Assad of Syria, a neighboring country where a civil war continues to rage. Cooperation between Japan and Turkey is significant in terms of providing assistance to Syrian refugees and supporting the country’s abandonment of chemical weapons.
　ＮＡＴＯ加盟国の間に中国企業との交渉の再考を促す声が広がっている。トルコには、慎重な対応が求められよう。
　トルコは内戦が続く隣国シリアのアサド政権と対立している。難民支援や化学兵器廃棄で、日本とトルコが協力する意義もある。

It is worrying that Turkey, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, has been negotiating with China on the introduction of a China-made air defense system. If Turkey enters military cooperation with the country, NATO military secrets could be leaked to China.
　気がかりなのは、北大西洋条約機構（ＮＡＴＯ）加盟国であるトルコが、中国製防空システムの導入に向けて交渉を進めていることだ。中国と軍事的に協力することになれば、ＮＡＴＯの軍事機密が中国へ流出する恐れもある。

Among NATO member countries, there have been voices of concern, including those who say Turkey should think twice about negotiating with a Chinese company. Turkey should exercise caution in handling the matter.
　ＮＡＴＯ加盟国の間に中国企業との交渉の再考を促す声が広がっている。トルコには、慎重な対応が求められよう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 31, 2013)
（2013年10月31日01時31分  読売新聞）