Press Releases
Japan-France Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
On October 5, commencing at 6:25 p.m. for approximately one hour and 45 minutes, Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Fumio Kishida hosted a dinner in Tokyo for H.E. Mr. Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, France. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. Beginning
Minister Kishida expressed his gratitude for a recent letter from Minister Fabius expressing his condolences in connection with the eruption of Mount Ontake. Minister Kishida also conveyed his condolences over the murder of a French hostage by terrorists in Algeria. Additionally, Minister Kishida expressed his congratulations over the recent reopening of France’s La Villa Kujoyama cultural facility in Kyoto following renovations. Both ministers shared the view that they will cooperate to further strengthen the “Exceptional partner relationship” between Japan and France.
2. Japan-France relations
Both ministers shared the view that in order to promote defense equipment cooperation between Japan and France they will accelerate the working process concerned, and will coordinate a schedule in order to hold a Japan-France Joint Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting in Japan next year. In addition, given that Minister Fabius is visiting Japan to attend the STS (Science and Technology in Society) Forum in Kyoto, the two ministers shared the view that they will promote Japan-France cooperation in the science and technology field.
3. ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant)
Minister Kishida mentioned he appreciates the leadership France displayed by holding “the International Conference on Peace and Security in Iraq” in Paris recently, while saying that Japan is proactively contributing via humanitarian aid to Iraq and its neighbors, from the standpoint of contributing where possible. In response, Minister Fabius said it will be necessary for the international community to continue to coordinate efforts to deal with ISIL.
4. Climate change
Minister Fabius requested Japan’s cooperation in curbing CO2 emissions, in light of the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that will be held in Paris next year. Minister Kishida responded Japan also wants to cooperate with France and contribute to ensuring that a fair and effective framework where all the Parties participate is adopted at the COP21.
5. The two ministers also shared the view that they will cooperate on concluding the Japan-EU EPA promptly, and exchanged views on regional affairs in East Asia among others.