Japan, Mongolia aim for regular talks on N. Korea's abductions
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan and Mongolia agreed Friday to pursue a regular working-level dialogue also involving the United States on the long-standing issue of North Korea's abductions of Japanese citizens.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met with Mongolian Prime Minister Norov Altankhuyag and exchanged views on how to resolve the issue of abductions in the 1970s and 1980s, which has prevented Japan and North Korea from establishing diplomatic ties. Mongolia has diplomatic relations with the reclusive state.
"I hope we can further strengthen the relationship of mutual benefits," Abe told a press conference following the meeting, during which the leaders agreed on a five-year action plan to deepen security and economic cooperation between the two countries.
Altankhuyag expressed his intention to steadily implement the plan which said, "Mongolia supports Japan's position that the abduction and other issues of concern that remain unsolved must be addressed in a comprehensive manner."
The prime ministers also discussed the free trade talks between Japan and Mongolia launched last year.
They agreed to "energetically proceed with and soon conclude the economic partnership negotiations in order to dramatically expand trade and investment between the two countries and lift our economic relations to a new stage," according to a joint statement released along with the action plan.
The trade liberalization deal, if realized, would be the first for Mongolia. Mongolian officials said earlier this week they hope to conclude the talks within 2014.
The action plan also mentioned more active roles for Japanese companies in developing Mongolia, including expanded investment and technical assistance for building infrastructure and for other projects.
Altankhuyag, who arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday, met with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko earlier Friday. He also held talks Thursday with top officials of Japanese business lobbies and state-backed bodies extending development support.
September 14, 2013(Mainichi Japan)
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met with Mongolian Prime Minister Norov Altankhuyag and exchanged views on how to resolve the issue of abductions in the 1970s and 1980s, which has prevented Japan and North Korea from establishing diplomatic ties. Mongolia has diplomatic relations with the reclusive state.
"I hope we can further strengthen the relationship of mutual benefits," Abe told a press conference following the meeting, during which the leaders agreed on a five-year action plan to deepen security and economic cooperation between the two countries.
Altankhuyag expressed his intention to steadily implement the plan which said, "Mongolia supports Japan's position that the abduction and other issues of concern that remain unsolved must be addressed in a comprehensive manner."
The prime ministers also discussed the free trade talks between Japan and Mongolia launched last year.
They agreed to "energetically proceed with and soon conclude the economic partnership negotiations in order to dramatically expand trade and investment between the two countries and lift our economic relations to a new stage," according to a joint statement released along with the action plan.
The trade liberalization deal, if realized, would be the first for Mongolia. Mongolian officials said earlier this week they hope to conclude the talks within 2014.
The action plan also mentioned more active roles for Japanese companies in developing Mongolia, including expanded investment and technical assistance for building infrastructure and for other projects.
Altankhuyag, who arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday, met with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko earlier Friday. He also held talks Thursday with top officials of Japanese business lobbies and state-backed bodies extending development support.
September 14, 2013(Mainichi Japan)
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