日露首脳会談 平和条約交渉へ環境整えたい

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Ongoing dialogue makes peace treaty with Russia appear more achievable
日露首脳会談　平和条約交渉へ環境整えたい

It is important for both Japan and Russia to maintain top-level dialogue despite thorny issues between the two countries, such as the Ukrainian crisis.
　ウクライナ情勢など、困難な課題があっても、首脳間の対話を重ねることが重要である。

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks on Sunday in Beijing — the first full-fledged summit talks between the two leaders since Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula of Ukraine in March.
　安倍首相が北京でロシアのプーチン大統領と会談した。３月のロシアによるウクライナ・クリミア半島編入後の本格的な会談は初めてだ。

During the talks, the two leaders agreed on a policy of starting preparations for Putin’s visit to Japan at “an appropriate time” next year.
　両首脳は、来年の「適切な時期」の大統領来日を実現するため、準備を開始する方針で一致した。

In February, Japan and Russia did agree on Putin’s visit to Japan this autumn. Due to the repercussions of the Ukrainian situation, however, it became difficult to realize the planned visit.
　日露両政府は２月、今秋の大統領来日で合意したが、ウクライナ情勢の影響で実現が困難になっていた。

While no improvement has been seen in the Ukrainian situation and with the United States showing wariness over possible rapprochement between Japan and Russia, the latest agreement on Putin’s visit to Japan next year can be considered the best possible decision Japan could make.
情勢が改善されず、米国が日露接近に警戒感を示す中、来年の来日で合意したのは、日本としてぎりぎりの判断と言える。

At the meeting, Abe proposed to Putin that both countries accelerate the bilateral negotiations on concluding a peace treaty aimed at resolving the dispute over the Russian-held northern territories. Putin agreed to the proposal, made on the basis of an April 2013 Japan-Russia joint statement that included the words, “The two nations will find a solution acceptable to both sides.”
　首相は、北方領土問題の解決に向けた日露平和条約交渉の加速を提案した。「双方が受け入れ可能な解決策を作成する」とした昨年４月の日露共同声明を踏まえたもので、大統領は同意した。

The negotiations over a peace treaty have been suspended since this spring. It is meaningful for both leaders to have confirmed the need to accelerate the talks.
　平和条約交渉は今春以降、中断されている。両首脳が交渉の加速を確認したことは意味がある。

Relations improving

Their latest talks, the seventh under the second Abe Cabinet, lasted about 90 minutes. There has been no change in Japan’s basic strategy of seeking progress in the territorial dispute, using as leverage the relationship of trust between Abe and Putin.
　２人の会談は第２次安倍内閣では７回目で、今回は１時間半に及んだ。首相と大統領の信頼関係をテコに、領土問題の進展を目指す日本の基本戦略は変わらない。

To realize a breakthrough in the stagnant territorial dispute, it is vital for Putin to make a political decision. Both leaders must deepen their discussions on the significance of their countries concluding a peace treaty and greatly improving the bilateral relationship.
　停滞する領土問題の打開には、大統領の政治決断が欠かせない。平和条約を締結し、日露関係を抜本的に改善する意義について、両首脳が議論を深めるべきだ。

To make progress in the negotiations, the two countries need to build a multifaceted cooperative relationship in areas including politics, economics and culture.
　交渉の進展には、政治、経済、文化など、多面的な協力関係を構築する必要がある。

In the field of security, Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Russian Navy last month conducted a joint search-and-rescue drill near Vladivostok in Russia’s Far East. Such efforts should be promoted steadily.
　安全保障分野では、先月、海上自衛隊とロシア海軍がロシア極東のウラジオストク周辺で捜索救難の共同訓練を行った。こうした取り組みを着実に進めたい。

Regarding the Ukrainian situation, Abe strongly urged Putin to have Russia play a constructive role in achieving the full implementation of a ceasefire agreement in the eastern part of Ukraine. It was reasonable for Abe to do so.
　ウクライナ情勢に関し、首相は会談で、同国東部での停戦合意の完全履行に向けて、ロシアが建設的役割を果たすよう大統領に強く求めた。当然の主張である。

From the standpoint of not tolerating “changing the status quo by force” regarding territory, Japan has imposed sanctions on Russia in line with the United States and European countries. It is important for Japan to maintain a cooperative relationship with other Group of Seven member countries.
　日本は、領土の「力による現状変更」を許さない立場で、米欧とともに対露制裁を実施している。他の先進７か国（Ｇ７）との協調関係を維持することが大切だ。

In its dialogue with Russia, Japan has to maintain such a stance as firmly requesting what it ought to request.
　日本はロシアとの対話の中で、注文すべき点はきちんと注文する姿勢を堅持せねばならない。

Meanwhile, Putin also held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and agreed that Russia and China will reinforce their cooperation in the areas of economy and energy. The two leaders also confirmed that Russia and China will hold various events next year to commemorate “the 70th anniversary of the victory in World War II” for both countries.
　プーチン大統領は今回、中国の習近平国家主席とも会談し、経済・エネルギー協力などの強化で合意した。「第２次世界大戦勝利７０年」の来年、様々な記念行事を行うことも確認している。

Japan needs to pay attention to these moves and carry out strategic diplomacy toward Russia accordingly.
　日本は、こうした動向にも注意を払い、戦略的な対露外交を進めることが求められる。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 11, 2014)Speech