プーチン大統領 見定めたいアジア重視戦略

The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 11, 2012)
Putin's diplomatic strategies require careful scrutiny
プーチン大統領　見定めたいアジア重視戦略（5月10日付・読売社説）

After an interval of four years, Vladimir Putin has returned to the post of Russian president. His new administration will have its hands full dealing with a stack of problems.
　ロシアでプーチン氏が４年ぶりに大統領に復帰した。多くの難題を抱えた新体制発足である。

"We have strengthened our country and returned our dignity as a great nation," Putin said at his inauguration ceremony. Putin's message conveyed his intention to continue pursuing a strong Russia.
　就任式で、プーチン氏は、「我々は国を強くし、偉大な国民の誇りを取り戻した」と述べ、今後も強いロシアを追求する姿勢を示した。

Many ears pricked up when Putin recently expressed a specific economic goal of becoming one of the world's top five economies in the near future.
　具体的な目標として、世界５位以内の経済大国入りを掲げていることが注目される。

However, to achieve this target, Russia will first need to break free from its excessive dependence on natural resources and develop its domestic industries, such as manufacturing, so that they are competitive in international markets. It is also vital that Russia introduce cutting-edge technologies.
　それには、何よりも、資源依存体質を変え、国際競争力を持つ製造業など国内産業を育成しなければならない。先端技術の導入は不可欠である。

Russia will not be able to obtain the trust of domestic and foreign investors without creating fair markets and an environment that attracts foreign investment.
　公正な市場の形成に取り組み、外国の投資を呼び込むための環境を整備しなければ、国内外から信頼は得られない。

The new president urgently needs to eradicate the widespread corruption in his country and establish the rule of law. Putin was expected to tackle these issues when he first took office in 2000, but the problems remain unresolved.
　ロシア社会にはびこる汚職を一掃し、法治を確立することが急務だ。プーチン氏が２０００年に初めて大統領になった時以来の宿題だが、依然改善できずにいる。

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Public discontent growing

The fact that thousands of people participated in a demonstration held on the eve of Putin's inauguration shows how frustrated many Russians are with the current state of affairs.
　就任式前日、多くの市民が参加して反プーチン集会が開かれたのは、不満の大きさの表れだ。

To obtain the backing of middle-class Russians seeking change, Putin will need to boldly reform the nation's political and administrative structures. In fact, this will be the only way Russia can achieve economic development.
　変革を求める中間層からも支持を得られるように、政治・行政の大胆な見直しを進めてこそ、経済発展も可能となろう。

In one of Putin's first presidential orders, he stated a policy of strengthening cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region.
　プーチン氏は、就任後最初の大統領令で、アジア太平洋との連携を強化する方針を示した。

He said Moscow plans to establish mutually beneficial, cooperative relationships with nations such as Japan, South Korea and Australia, and to deepen ties with China and India.
　中国、インドなどとの関係を深める一方、日本、韓国、オーストラリアなどとも互恵協力関係の構築を図りたいとしている。

As long as Russia aspires to become a major economic power, it is unsurprising that the country is looking closely at the Asia-Pacific region, which has become a hub of the world's economic growth.
　経済大国化を目指す以上、世界の成長拠点であるアジア太平洋に着目したのは当然だ。

In September, an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit meeting will be held in Vladivostok. Russia will likely use this meeting as a stepping stone for strengthening economic cooperation with Asia-Pacific nations.
　９月にウラジオストクで開くアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議を、連携強化の足掛かりにする狙いがあろう。

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Don't forget northern territories

Russia has recently become increasingly important to Japan as a supplier of liquefied natural gas--a main fuel for thermal power plants. Strengthening bilateral economic cooperation in the energy field would benefit both countries.
　日本にとって、火力発電所の主力燃料となる液化天然ガス（ＬＮＧ）をロシアから輸入することは、重要性を増している。エネルギー分野で経済協力を拡大することは日露両国に有益だろう。

However, we should not forget the issue of the Russian-held northern territories off Hokkaido. The Japan-Russia relationship soured during the administration of Putin's predecessor, Dmitry Medvedev. Moscow expressed hope for developing joint economic activities on the four islands, but never tried to move territorial talks forward.
　しかし、北方領土問題を忘れてはならない。メドベージェフ前大統領のもとで、日露関係は険悪化した。ロシア側は、日露両国による北方４島での共同経済活動には期待感を示すものの、領土交渉を動かす考えはなかった。

In his third term, Putin will likely take a tough line on foreign policies due to his unstable political footing caused by domestic concerns. Japan should not expect too much on the development of territorial talks.
　大統領として３期目に入ったプーチン氏は、内政で足元が揺れているだけに、対外的には強い姿勢を崩すまい。交渉進展に大きな期待を抱くのは禁物である。

The Japanese government must rebuild its strategy vis-a-vis Russia after thoroughly examining Putin's diplomatic policies.
　日本政府は、プーチン氏の外交方針を十分見極めて、対露戦略を再構築しなければならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 10, 2012)
（2012年5月10日01時46分 読売新聞）