The Prime Minister of Japan and the President of the Russian Federation,

Sharing the recognition that, on the eve of the twenty-first century, as the democratization process advances and new forms of relations between States develop in the international community against a background of the realities of the present-day world, the roles and responsibilities of Japan and the Russian Federation are increasing and closer cooperation between the two countries is needed,

Convinced that Japan and the Russian Federation, which are now jointly sharing the universal values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law and the respect for fundamental human rights, should build a creative partnership consistent with their strategic and geopolitical interests by, inter alia, fully normalizing their bilateral relations based on the Tokyo Declaration of 13 October 1993, and on this Declaration,

Appreciating the development of relations between Japan and the Russian Federation based on the Tokyo Declaration, which formed the foundation for the construction of this creative partnership, and determined to further develop the bilateral relationship in all areas,

Confirming their common recognition that their bilateral relations are currently developing rapidly as a result of the constructive dialogue between the leaders of the two countries, at the informal summit meetings in Krasnoyarsk and Kawana and on other occasions, and that the time is approaching to overcome the difficult legacies of the past mentioned in the Tokyo Declaration,

Pointing out the need to realize the potential for economic cooperation between the two countries in a broader and more effective manner, and that this is possible in many areas through continued economic reform in the Russian Federation and support from Japan,

Recognizing that a substantive improvement in Japanese/Russian relations will have a favorable influence on the international situation, particularly on the situation in the Asia-Pacific region, whose political and economic significance is continuously growing,

Affirming the importance of activating their common efforts to strengthen international peace and security based on the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and to solve global issues which require an immediate response,

Declare the following:

I. Bilateral relations

1. The Prime Minister of Japan and the President of the Russian Federation State that the relations between their countries occupy an important place in their respective foreign policies.