Dutch PM Wants Japan To Mend Fences With China, South Korea

THE HAGUE, March 24 (Bernama) -- Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte expressed hopes in a meeting with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on Sunday that Tokyo will mend fences with China and South Korea.

During the meeting in The Hague, The Netherlands Abe said: "Japan has been responding in a calm manner from a broad perspective. Its stance is that doors to dialogue are always open," Japan's news agency Jiji Press quotes Japanese officials as saying.

Rutte said it was vital important that dialogue be promoted between Japan and China and between Japan and South Korea.

Abe emphasised that Japan placed importance on future-oriented diplomacy while facing the past sincerely.

He said Japan will continue programmes to cure emotional pain of Dutch people who were detained and mistreated by the now-defunct Imperial Japanese Army during World War II.

When Abe requested support for his "proactive pacifism" policy, Rutte said he understood Japan's active efforts in the international community.

The two leaders confirmed that the two seafaring countries will cooperate as strategic partners that share fundamental values such as the rule of law.

On the situation in Ukraine, Abe emphasised that changing the status quo by force can never be tolerated.

With China's coercive behaviour in the East China Sea in mind, Abe said the Ukraine crisis is not just a regional issue but a global one with both leaders recognising that a peaceful solution to the crisis is important.

-- BERNAMA

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Dutch PM Wants Japan To Mend Fences With China, South Korea