It is ‘Global Village Today’ that delivers major news from various countries around the world.
Host) What news do you have today?
Reporter) Yes. Leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have pledged additional logistical support for Ukraine’s victory. However, the invitation to join NATO was withheld. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting opened in Indonesia. Following the news that Hong Kong authorities have announced that Japan will ban the import of seafood from some areas in Japan if it releases contaminated water from the nuclear power plant.
Host) Global Village Today, this is the first news. First, let’s look at the news of the NATO Summit being held in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Reporter) Yes. On the 12th, the second day of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit is underway. The heads of 31 NATO member states, including US President Joe Biden, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the NATO-Ukraine Council. Swedish Prime Minister Wolf Kristersson, who is now almost confirmed to join NATO, also attended the event. It is known that the leaders discussed additional aid to Ukraine and the future of Ukraine.
Moderator) One of the biggest key agendas of this NATO summit was the issue of Ukraine joining NATO. Have NATO leaders made up their minds on this?
Reporter) Yes. NATO leaders issued a joint statement on the 11th, the first day of the meeting. In the statement, the leaders declared that “Ukraine’s future lies within NATO.” “We will be in a position to invite Ukraine to NATO when our allies agree and conditions are met,” he said.
Host) So you promised conditional NATO membership?
Reporter) Yes. However, NATO did not provide a specific timeline in its statement. However, it was decided to exempt the ‘Membership Action Plan’, which is a procedure that countries applying for membership must go through. Finland, which joined last April, was also exempted from MAP for expedited access.
Moderator) It is said that there was a difference of opinion among NATO members over Ukraine’s NATO membership.
Reporter) Yes. Some major member states, including the United States and Britain, have expressed the view that Ukraine’s NATO accession is premature at a time of war. This is because the ‘collective security’ specified in NATO Article 5, that is, if one member state is attacked from the outside, it is regarded as an attack on all member countries and responds. On the other hand, Poland, the Baltic States, and countries more exposed to security threats from Russia supported Ukraine’s accession to NATO.
Moderator) So, you are saying that once the war is over and the process of joining NATO begins, it will be dealt with quickly?
Reporter) Yes. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted strongly. President Zelensky criticized the lack of a timetable as “unprecedented and outrageous” and said it was an incentive for Russia to continue terrorism. In the midst of this, President Biden and President Zelensky had a private meeting on the 12th. It is known that they discussed a long-term security plan led by the G7, guaranteeing additional military support and security for Ukraine before joining NATO.
Moderator) On the other hand, Sweden is accepting NATO as a fait accompli as Turkey withdraws its opposition. Did you also meet President Biden and President Türkiye?
Reporter) President Biden and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Turkiye held a separate bilateral summit on the 11th, the first day of the meeting. At this meeting, President Biden expressed his gratitude to President Erdogan. President Erdogan held a three-way meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Wolf Kristersson and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg the previous day (10th) and agreed that the Turkish Parliament should expedite ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership.
Moderator) It was a surprise announcement made the day before the summit (the 10th). Why did Turkiye, who had been opposing Sweden’s NATO membership for the past few months, suddenly change its stance?
Reporter) President Erdogan did not directly comment on it at various official events prepared during the schedule. However, there is an interpretation that Turkey, which is currently under economic pressure, seems to be seeking to improve relations with the United States with the NATO summit as an opportunity.
Moderator) In the midst of this, President Biden and President Erdogan had individual summits. Shall we hear more about the conversations the two leaders had?
Reporter) Yes. In all remarks, President Biden said that he would like to thank President Erdogan for the leadership and courage he showed on Sweden’s NATO accession the day before. “The summit also reaffirms our defense commitments to NATO and our allies, which we hope to further solidify,” he said. The White House said the two leaders exchanged views on defense and economic priorities, as well as the importance of continuing assistance to Ukraine.
Moderator) What are the pending issues in the defense field of the two countries?
Reporter) It was not disclosed what the specific defense issues discussed by the two leaders were. However, there are observations that it will be a problem with the export of American F-16 fighter jets. The introduction of American F-16 fighter jets is a long-cherished wish of Turkey, which is pursuing military modernization. However, it was not possible due to the opposition of the US Congress.
Moderator) Why is the US Congress against it?
Reporter) Due to the situation of oppression of human rights of minorities, they have put the brakes on the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkiye. Bob Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, took a step back on the 10th, saying that he was discussing with the administration and that he would decide next week whether to lift the sale hold.
Host) What did President Erdogan say?
Reporter) President Erdogan called President Biden a ‘dear friend’ and thanked President Biden for congratulating him on his recent re-election. He also emphasized that if the previous meeting was just a warm-up, we are now starting a new process.
President Erdogan then created a friendly atmosphere, wishing for the re-election of President Biden, who is running for the presidential election next year. In response, President Biden responded with a smile and said, “I look forward to meeting you in the next five years.”
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (center) gives an opening speech at the plenary session of the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held in Jakarta on the 11th.
Host) Global Village Today, we will continue to go to Indonesia this time. Diplomatic heads of major Asian countries gathered in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia.
Reporter) Yes. Starting with the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the 11th, ASEAN-related multilateral meetings such as the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of ASEAN Partner Countries, the East Asia Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) will continue this week in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Diplomatic officials from participating countries are gathering one after another in Jakarta.
Moderator) Has the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting already begun?
Reporter) Yes. The plenary session began on the 11th, presided over by Foreign Minister Retro Marsudi of Indonesia, the chair of ASEAN this year. This year’s ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was also held without a representative from Myanmar, with ministers from nine countries attending.
Moderator) It has already been more than two years since the military coup took place in Myanmar, right?
Reporter) Yes. On February 1, 2021, it has been two and a half years since the military led by Supreme Commander Min Aung Hlaing staged a coup to overthrow the civilian government and seize power. As the Myanmar crisis is prolonged, attention is focusing on whether a solution can be found at the ASEAN level this time.
Moderator) Didn’t ASEAN come up with a solution before?
Reporter) That’s right. ASEAN held a special summit in April 2021, immediately after the coup, by calling Supreme Commander Min Aung Hlaing despite some Western opposition. At the time, ASEAN and Myanmar’s military agreed on five points, including an end to violence in Myanmar. However, the Myanmar military is not fulfilling it.
Moderator) Are there any sanctions imposed for non-compliance?
Reporter) No. Above all, the basic principle of ASEAN is to recognize each other’s identity and not interfere in internal affairs. ASEAN is currently pressuring Myanmar’s military government by excluding Myanmar from various meetings. However, it is pointed out that there are limitations. Also, within member states, opinions are sharply divided over the solution to Myanmar.
Moderator) How are you confronting?
Reporter) Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines are in a position to respond more strongly to the Myanmar military. On the other hand, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, close to the Myanmar military, oppose it. In the midst of this, the Thai government invited Myanmar’s military and foreign minister to Pattaya last month to hold an informal meeting, drawing criticism from the international community.
Moderator) How is former State Advisor Aung San Suu Kyi, who actually led the civilian government of Myanmar, doing now?
Reporter) Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramuwinai, who is attending the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting, told ministers of member countries on the 11th that he met Suu Kyi’s former adviser in prison last week. The Thai Foreign Ministry issued a separate statement and said the two spoke privately for about an hour.
Moderator) How is Suu Kyi’s advisor’s health?
Reporter) Suu Kyi is now 78 years old. Foreign Minister Don said Suu Kyi is in good health. However, no further details were given. Suu Kyi’s former adviser was arrested after a military coup and charged with corruption, bribery and election rigging, and is now in solitary confinement in Naypyidaw Prison. This is the first confirmed meeting between Suu Kyi and a senior foreign government official.
Hong Kong residents look at Japanese aquatic products. (data photo)
Host) Global village Let’s see one more news today. Hong Kong has announced new restrictions on seafood from Japan?
Reporter) Yes. Hong Kong authorities announced on the 12th that if Japan releases contaminated water from the nuclear power plant, it will immediately ban imports of seafood from Fukushima and other prefectures. Depending on the situation, imports of marine products are prohibited in 10 prefectures: Tokyo, Fukushima, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano, and Saitama Prefecture.
Host) Why is Hong Kong taking such measures?
Reporter) Yes. Hong Kong’s Environment Minister Che Chin-wan told reporters on the 12th that the contaminated water from the collapsed Fukushima nuclear power plant is treated before being discharged into the Pacific Ocean, but any errors in the process have a major impact on ecosystems and food security. . “In our assessment, the prefectures around Fukushima pose a great risk, so we take responsible measures for our residents,” he explained.
Moderator) Did you hear that it is very dangerous if something goes wrong in the process of discharging contaminated water?
Reporter) Yes. Che said the Hong Kong government would be scientific and review the data and would consider easing restrictions once the situation is safe.
Host) Hong Kong has already banned the import of some agricultural products from Japan, right?
Reporter) Yes. Hong Kong currently bans the import of some foods from Fukushima, such as fruits and vegetables. In addition, other foods from Fukushima, such as meat and poultry, must be certified for radiation before they can be brought into Hong Kong.
Moderator) What is the share of Japanese aquatic products and agricultural products in Hong Kong?
Reporter) Yes. According to official statistics, Japanese imports accounted for about 2% of total food supply in Hong Kong last year. In terms of quantity, Hong Kong’s dependence on Japanese food is not very high. However, not only do many Hong Kong residents love Japanese food, but there are also many Japanese restaurants in Hong Kong.
Moderator) What was the Japanese reaction to the Hong Kong government’s measures?
Reporter) Yes. Previously, Naoto Nakahara, Japan’s vice consul general in Hong Kong, criticized the Japanese Nikkei newspaper for trying to score points from the Beijing central government. On the other hand, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said on the 12th that it had strongly requested the Hong Kong government not to strengthen restrictions on Japanese seafood and agricultural products. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said that on the same day (12th), government officials met with Hong Kong government officials to explain the plan to release contaminated water from the nuclear power plant and ensure the safety of Japanese food.
Host) Deputy Consul General Nakahara is saying that the Hong Kong government is trying to win favor with the mainland government with this measure?
Reporter) Yes. In response to this criticism, Minister Chechin-Wan emphasized that “Hong Kong has a high degree of autonomy,” saying that he devises policies according to the situation without mentioning a specific person.
Host) Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met Korean President Seok-yeol Yoon on the 12th in Vilnius, Lithuania, where the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit was held. Did you mention the polluted water problem here?
Reporter) Yes. South Korea’s Yonhap News reported on the same day (12th) that Prime Minister Kishida promised to “take appropriate measures, including the immediate cessation of emission, as planned, if there are problems such as the concentration of radioactive materials exceeding the standard during the observation process after the release begins.” I did.
Host) I will listen to the global village today.
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2023-07-12 14:24:48
