- Title: GERMANY: Germany urges Japan, China for peaceful solution to island dispute
- Date: 19th October 2012
- Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (OCTOBER 19, 2012) (REUTERS) ( ** BEWARE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **) VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTRY GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER GUIDO WESTERWELLE AND JAPANESE COUNTERPART KOICHIRO GEMBA ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, GUIDO WESTERWELLE, SAYING: "Of course we also addressed the most recent tensions in the East and South China Sea. Germany welcomes all steps which lead to the open issues being solved level-headedly, peacefully and in mutual agreement." REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER, KOICHIRO GEMBA, SAYING (ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL GERMAN TRANSLATION): "In regard to the Senkaku islands, I of course tried to present and explain our view in detail. I think I was able to campaign for more understanding but what I can say here is that in the end, we are striving for a peaceful solution, based on international law. I believe we all agree on that between the four countries. We have universal, international rules and standards, a kind of code of conduct, and those are issues that must be maintained. In Japanese-Chinese relations, we must keep up this dialogue and extend it. Obviously, where we can not give in we can not give in. But we do not want any unforeseen escalating situation, even if it takes a lot of time. Ultimately, it's about economic, cultural and people exchange which we want to maintain and extend with China. That's why we want to keep up the communication with China." (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, GUIDO WESTERWELLE, SAYING: "I visited China last week and our Chinese counterpart Yang (Jiechi) gave China's view once again. I think we all agree that a peaceful solution is in the interest of everyone involved." WESTERWELLE'S HANDS (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, GUIDO WESTERWELLE, SAYING: "We reject all North Korean threats directed towards South Korea. We are convinced that reconciliation and rationality are the right political approach and not threats with military scenarios." GEMBA LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, GUIDO WESTERWELLE, SAYING: "Of course we are also important trade partners. Germany is Japan's most important trade partner in Europe and from our view, there is certainly a lot of potential still. It's important that negotiations start immediately about a free trade agreement between the European Union with Japan." JAPANESE, EUROPEAN UNION AND GERMAN FLAGS GEMBA AND WESTERWELLE SHAKING HANDS BEFORE WALKING OFF
- Embargoed: 3rd November 2012 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Germany, Japan
- City:
- Country: Japan Germany
- Topics: International Relations,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVACNXSLD5GF3XC4F1UYN4RKYXHL
- Story Text: The island dispute between China and Japan must be solved peacefully and in mutual agreement, Germany tells visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba who says that's what Tokyo is striving for.
Germany appealed to Japan on Friday (October 19) to solve its island dispute with China peacefully after Sino-Japanese relations soured sharply in the past month and led to violent anti-Japanese protests across China and badly hurt trade.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said after a meeting with his Japanese counterpart Koichiro Gemba in Berlin that "Germany welcomes all steps which lead to the open issues being solved level-headedly, peacefully and in mutual agreement."
"I think we all agree that a peaceful solution is in the interest of everyone involved," added Westerwelle.
Foreign Minister Gemba told reporters "in the end, we are striving for a peaceful solution, based on international law."
"Obviously, where we can not give in we can not give in. But we do not want any unforeseen escalating situation, even if it takes a lot of time. Ultimately, it's about economic, cultural and people exchange which we want to maintain and extend with China. That's why we want to keep up the communication with China," said Gemba.
He was on his inaugural visit to Europe and also held talks in London and Paris.
In early September, Japan had agreed to buy a group of islands disputed with China from their private owners, prompting an angry rebuke from China a day after Chinese President Hu Jintao warned against such an "illegal" move. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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