英字新聞

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Tenacious talks with Russia key to ending impasse in territorial dispute
日露外相会談　領土対立打開へ対話を重ねよ

Russia’s hard-line stance toward the northern territories has become more conspicuous. Nevertheless, the only way to improve Japan-Russia relations is for politicians of the two countries to hold talks tenaciously and repeatedly.
　北方領土問題に関するロシアの強硬姿勢がより鮮明になった。それでも、日露関係の改善には、政治家間の対話を粘り強く重ねるしかあるまい。

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida met his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on Monday in Moscow and protested a recent series of visits by the Russian prime minister and cabinet ministers to the northern territories, saying, “Their visits are extremely regrettable and not acceptable.” Lavrov reportedly refuted this by saying, “Russia has its own standpoint.”
　岸田外相がモスクワで、ラブロフ外相と会談し、ロシアの首相や閣僚の相次ぐ北方領土訪問について「極めて遺憾で、受け入れられない」と抗議した。ラブロフ氏は「ロシアにはロシアの立場がある」などと反論した。

On the other hand, Kishida and Lavrov agreed “to explore ways to a solution acceptable to both sides.” They also agreed to resume vice-ministerial-level talks early next month − for the first time in one year and nine months − regarding the conclusion of a peace treaty. The two countries will reportedly seek to hold talks between their top leaders and foreign ministers on the sidelines of international conferences.
　一方で、「双方に受け入れ可能な解決策を模索する」ことでは一致した。来月上旬に次官級の平和条約交渉を１年９か月ぶりに再開することでも合意した。今後は、国際会議などの場で首脳や外相の対話を継続するという。

Negotiations on the peace treaty have been suspended following sanctions imposed by Japan on Russia in connection with the Ukrainian situation and Russia’s retaliatory steps. We cannot expect immediate results, but we appreciate the fact that the two countries agreed to resume talks.
　平和条約交渉は、ウクライナ情勢に基づく日本の対露制裁や露側の対抗措置に伴い、中断していた。すぐに成果は期待できないが、交渉再開自体は評価したい。

Kishida, who had postponed his visit to Russia, told Lavrov during the meeting, “Because there are issues pending between us, it’s all the more important to hold talks repeatedly.” His assertion is understandable.
　訪露を延期してきた岸田氏は会談で、「問題があるからこそ、対話を重ねていくことが重要だ」と強調した。理解できる主張だ。

However, the two countries stand far apart in their positions on the territorial dispute.
　ただ、領土問題を巡る日露の立場の隔たりは大きい。

During a joint news conference after the meeting, Lavrov said: “We didn’t discuss the northern territories. The agenda of the talks was the conclusion of a peace treaty.”
　ラブロフ氏は会談後の共同記者会見で、「北方領土については協議しなかった。議題は平和条約の締結だった」と語った。

Illogical argument

It cannot be overlooked, however, that Lavrov tried to justify the illegal occupation of the northern territories for 70 years and make it a fait accompli by saying “the reality of postwar history should be recognized.”
　看過できないのは、ラブロフ氏が「戦後の歴史の現実を認識すべきだ」と述べ、７０年に及ぶ北方領土の不法占拠を正当化し、既成事実化しようとしていることだ。

A joint statement issued by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2013 called for holding negotiations on a peace treaty based on all accords adopted by the two countries, including the Irkutsk Statement that specified efforts toward a solution to the sovereignty issue over the four islands off Hokkaido. In this sense, Lavrov’s argument is illogical.
　安倍首相とプーチン大統領による２０１３年の日露共同声明は、北方４島の帰属問題解決を明記した「イルクーツク声明」など、両国が採択した全合意に基づき、条約交渉を進めるとうたっている。ラブロフ氏の発言は筋違いだ。

It seems that Russia wants to draw concessions from Japan, such as the lifting of sanctions and economic cooperation, by swaying Japan through hard-line and moderate approaches.
　露側には、日本を硬軟両様で揺さぶり、制裁解除や経済協力を引き出したい思惑があるようだ。

Russia’s economy has been deteriorating due to economic sanctions imposed by the United States and European countries and the decline in crude oil prices. Russian expectations on Japan, it may be said, are reflected by the fact that Igor Shuvalov, first vice premier in charge of economic affairs, conferred with Kishida.
　米欧の経済制裁や原油価格下落などの影響で、国内経済は悪化している。経済担当のシュワロフ第１副首相が岸田氏と会談したのも露側の期待の表れと言えよう。

A focal point for the time being is whether Putin’s visit to Japan can be realized before the end of this year.
　当面の焦点は、プーチン氏の年内来日の行方である。

Japan is forward-looking in regard to Putin’s visit. But even if it is realized, it will come to nothing if meaningful talks are not held. It may end up merely disrupting the unity of the Group of Seven industrialized countries on anti-Russia sanctions.
　日本側は前向きだが、来日が実現しても、中身のある会談ができなければ、意味がない。対露制裁に関する先進７か国（Ｇ７）の結束を乱すだけになりかねない。

Does Putin have the resolve and ability to earnestly tackle the tasks of repairing relations with Japan and proceeding with a solution to the territorial issue? The Japanese government must deal with the matter carefully after seeing Russian responses. Strategic negotiating capabilities are called for in this regard.
　プーチン氏は、対日関係の修復と領土問題の前進に本気で取り組む意思と能力があるのか。日本政府は、露側の出方を見極めつつ、慎重に対処しなければなるまい。戦略的な交渉力が求められる。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 23, 2015)