Japan-EU Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
On July 7, commencing at 2:25 p.m.local time(8:25 p.m., on the same day, Japan time) for approximately 35 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Ankara, the Republic of Türkiye to attend events related to the NATO Summit, held a meeting with H.E. Ms. Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission.
- At the outset, Minister MOTEGI stated that as observed in the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea in Ukraine, the security of the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific is inseparable.
- In this regard, he noted that, amid mounting tensions surrounding Iran and Ukraine and with the growing need to work together across regions, he wishes to steadily advance cooperation between Japan and the EU as a partner with shared values.
- In response, High Representative Kallas stated that she was pleased to be able to hold a meeting following the Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in March and noted that Japan-EU relations remain strong. She also mentioned that President of the European Commission von der Leyen and Prime Minister Takaichi successfully held a meeting at the G7 Evian Summit in June and that she would like to further deepen cooperation between Japan and the EU.
- Minister MOTEGI coveyed Japan’s concerns about the EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act as well as the EU’s tariff measures to be imposed on Japan’s steel products . In response, High Representative Kallas said that China’s overcapacity is the root cause of the problem and that she would like to continue coordination. Both sides concurred to continue consultations on this issue.
- Minister MOTEGI also explained about the updated “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” announced by Japan in May this year and stated that Japan would like to continue working with the EU. In response, High Representative Kallas stated that she would like to seek to strengthen cooperation between the EU and Indo-Pacific countries including Japan.
- The two sides exchanged candid views on the situation in Ukraine, the situation surrounding Middle East, including the importance of free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz without additional fees, the situation in East Asia such as policies towards North Korea, including the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue, and confirmed their close cooperation.
: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan