Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan [Wednesday, Apr 15, 2015]
Japan-EU Foreign Ministers' Meeting
On April 14, commencing at 12.30 p.m. (local time) for approximately one hour, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is visiting Lubeck, Germany to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held a Japan-EU Foreign Ministers’ Meeting over lunch with Ms. Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. Opening remarks
Minister Kishida and High Representative Mogherini confirmed that the next Japan-EU Summit Meeting will be held in Tokyo on May 29 this year, and concurred on cooperate closely toward its success.
2. Japan-EU relations
(1) Minister Kishida stated that he wants the next Summit Meeting to be an opportunity to confirm the important role Japan and the EU will continue to perform going forward in achieving peace, stability and prosperity, and give a boost to the advancement of the Japan-EU EPA and SPA negotiations at the leader level. Additionally, Minister Kishida noted the importance of border security, including by utilizing passenger name record (PNR), from the perspective of advancing international counterterrorism, and said he wants discussions between the relevant departments of Japan and the EU to take place so that the provision of PNR from European airline companies is achieved. Furthermore, Minister Kishida called for easing and lifting the EU's restrictions on imports of food from Japan, including those from Fukushima Prefecture, on a scientific basis.
(2) In response, High Representative Mogherini said it will be important to create definite momentum at the leader level regarding both of the Japan-EU EPA and SPA negotiations, and that cooperation on global challenges such as climate change, the post-2015 development agenda and counterterrorism is beneficial to Japan and the EU. In this context, Representative Mogherini said she appreciates Minister Kishida’s personal commitment to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, wants to cooperate on discussions between Japan and the EU on PNR because it will potentially have mutual benefits for both sides, and hopes that positive progress will be made with reviewing restrictions on imports of food from Japan, including those from Fukushima Prefecture.
3. Regional and international affairs
(1) Ukraine
i) High Representative Mogherini stated that the complete fulfilment of the Minsk Agreement is important. She said a foreign ministers’ meeting was held in a “Normandy format” in Berlin on the previous day, and she is also working closely with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). High Representative Mogherini said it is also important to simultaneously encourage Ukraine’s reform efforts, and she appreciates cooperation with Japan in responding to the Ukraine situation and Japan’s support for Ukraine.
ii) Minister Kishida expressed his respect for the EU’s initiatives for stabilizing Ukraine, along with stating that localized shelling and fighting continues in eastern Ukraine even after the ceasefire agreement and the situation remains unstable. He said supporting and encouraging Ukraine’s reform efforts is also important, and explained Japan’s initiatives.
(2) Iran
i) High Representative Mogherini explained the negotiations with Iran and future challenges, and said she appreciates that Japan is utilizing its bilateral relationship to work on Iran. She said the recent agreement is also important from the perspective of the security field. High Representative Mogherini said it is also important from the standpoint of Iran fulfilling a more constructive role in the Middle East and contributing to regional stability.
ii) Minister Kishida expressed respect for the efforts of High Representative Mogherini and the EU in connection with the negotiations with Iran, and said he has strong expectations a final agreement will be attained. Minister Kishida explained that thus far also, Japan has been working on Iran based on its traditional relationship with the country, and will strengthen those efforts going forward. He said he wants to continue to cooperate closely with the EU also.
(3) Asia
Minister Kishida and High Representative Mogherini also exchanged views on the East Asia situation, and Minister Kishida explained Japan’s standpoint.
4. Lastly, Minister Kishida and High Representative Mogherini shared the view that they will use various future opportunities, including the next Japan-EU Summit Meeting, to exchange views closely.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan [Friday, Apr 17, 2015]
Japan-Germany Foreign Ministers' Meeting
On Tuesday April 14, commencing at 1:45 p.m. (local time) for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was visiting Lübeck (Germany) for the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting, held a meeting with H.E. Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany. The overview is as follows:
1. Opening remarks
Foreign Minister Steinmeier welcomed Minister Kishida and his visit to the Buddenbrookhaus (Thomas Mann Museum), and expressed his appreciation for Minister Kishida's interest in Lübreck. In response, Minister Kishida stated that Japan would like to cooperate with Germany further on issues such as the situation in Ukraine as chairs of the G7 Summit meetings of this year and next year. The two ministers agreed to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
2. Situation in Ukraine
Minister Kishida expressed Japan's support for Germakuny's diplomatic efforts in the "Normandy format". Foreign Minister Steinmeier provided a detailed explanation on the "Normandy format" Foreign Ministers Meeting held the previous day, and expressed his high appreciation of Japan's support for Ukraine. The two Ministers shared the views on the importance of implementation of the Minsk Agreement, while also confirming the continued close coordination on policy for Ukraine between Japan and Germany.
3. Other issues
Both ministers also exchanged views on the situation in Asia.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan [Wednesday, Apr 15, 2015]
Japan-UK Foreign Ministers’ meeting
On Wednesday April 15, commencing at around 11:50 a.m. local time (around 6:50 p.m. Japanese time) for slightly more than 20 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was visiting Lubeck, Germany to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held Foreign Ministers’ meeting with Mr. Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom. The overview is as follows.
1. The two ministers shared the view that the Japan-UK Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting（2+2） and the Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue held in January this year were extremely significant, and confirmed the importance of Japan and the UK continuing to cooperate in order to address various issues.
2. Also, based on the previous discussions at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, they exchanged views on the situation in Asia and on other issues.
[Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan] [Wednesday, Apr 15, 2015]
Japan-France Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
On Tuesday, April 14, commencing at around 5.30 p.m. local time (around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 15, Japan time) for approximately 45 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was visiting Lubeck, Germany to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held a foreign ministers’ meeting with Mr. Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development of the French Republic. The overview is as follows.
1. Opening remarks
Minister Kishida stated said he was pleased to be meeting again one month after the Japan-France Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held on the sidelines of the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in March, and holding the ninth Japan-France Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. In response, Minister Fabius expressed his gratitude for the welcome he received when he visited Japan.
Additionally, Minister Kishida expressed his gratitude for the support of the Government of France for the confirmation of the safety of Japanese at the time of the Germanwings aircraft crash that occurred in a mountainous region of southern France on March 24. Minister Fabius expressed his condolences to the victims of the accident.
2. Bilateral relations
Minister Fabius mentioned the possibility of a visit to Japan by Mr. Manuel Valls, Prime Minister of the French Republic, and said he wants concrete cooperation between Japan and France in the fields of defense equipment cooperation, the stability and development of Africa, and innovation. Minister Kishida welcomed the idea and said the visit to Japan by Prime Minister Valls, if realized, will be a good opportunity for advancing bilateral relations.
3. Japan-EU relations
The two ministers confirmed they will continue to cooperate on reaching an agreement in principle on the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) this year. Furthermore, Minister Fabius expressed a positive attitude to relaxing and abolishing the EU's restrictions on imports of food and other products of Fukushima Prefecture.
4. Global challenges
(1) Nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation
The two ministers confirmed they will cooperate toward the success of the NPT Review Conference at the end of this month.
(2) Counterterrorism
Minister Kishida noted the importance of border enforcement, including by utilizing passenger name records (PNRs), from the perspective of advancing international counterterrorism, and the two ministers confirmed they will work cooperatively on counterterrorism, including information exchange.
(3) Climate change
Minister Fabius requested cooperation toward the success of the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the two ministers confirmed that they will work together on the adoption of a new framework that is fair and effective and in which all countries participate.
5. Regional affairs
(1) East Asia
The two ministers exchanged views on the East Asia situation.
(2) Iran
Minister Fabius explained the situation surrounding Iran, and Minister Kishida appreciated France's initiatives and wanted to continue the discussion in the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting following their meeting.
[Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan] [Wednesday, Apr 15, 2015]
Japan-Italy Foreign Ministers' Meeting
On Tuesday, April 14, commencing at around 4.45 p.m. local time (around 11:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, Japan time) for approximately 35 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was visiting Lubeck to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held a foreign ministers’ meeting for the first time with Mr. Paolo Gentiloni, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. Bilateral relations
(1) The two ministers welcomed the holding of their first foreign ministers’ meeting, confirmed that they will cooperate closely in light of the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Italy in 2016, and will deepen cooperation toward the success of the EXPO Milano 2015 opening next month also.
(2) Minister Kishida explained Japan’s policy of “Proactive Contribution to Peace” and the development of seamless security legislation under that policy, and Minister Gentiloni replied that Japan’s heightened presence in the international community serves the common interest by contributing to the peace and stability of the international community.
2. Economy
(1) Minister Kishida mentioned a large investment in Finmeccanica SpA’s railway business by Hitachi Ltd., and Minister Gentiloni replied that there is room for further development of economic relations between Japan and Italy, and expanding bidirectional investment between Japan and Italy is also important.
(2) Minister Kishida said he wants to accelerate negotiations in order to reach an agreement in principle on the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) this year and promptly conclude the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA). Minister Gentiloni also voiced support for a prompt conclusion, and the two ministers shared the view that they will continue to cooperate.
(3) Minister Kishida requested the relaxation and abolition of the EU's restrictions on imports of food and other products of Fukushima Prefecture.
3. Global challenges
(1) Counterterrorism
Minister Kishida stated that he is aware Italy is attaching importance to Libya’s stability and border enforcement in particular, and from an international counterterrorism perspective Japan wants to cooperate, including by utilizing passenger name records (PNRs). In response, Minister Gentiloni noted the importance of sharing information and the two countries’ experiences. The two ministers confirmed that they will continue to cooperate on the fight against terrorism.
(2) Nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation
Minister Kishida requested cooperation on the NPT Review Conference, and Minister Gentiloni replied that he appreciates Japan’s initiatives and also wants to discuss the matter in the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting following their meeting.
4. Regional affairs
(1) Ukraine and Russia
Minister Gentiloni mentioned the importance of fulfilling the Minsk Agreement and of maintaining both sanctions and dialogue, and Minister Kishida noted the importance of supporting Ukraine’s reform efforts, in addition to sanctions and dialogue.
(2) East Asia
The two ministers exchanged views on the East Asia situation.
5. Other
The two ministers confirmed that the bilateral relationship will be strengthened further, based also on the fact that Japan is the G7 chair country next year and Italy the year after next. Furthermore, Minister Gentiloni mentioned the possibility of a visit to Japan by Mr. Matteo Renzi, President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, and this was welcomed by Minister Kishida.
