Japan-Austria Relations
Japan-Austria Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
On Thursday, July 5, commencing at 1:00 p.m. (local time) for approximately 75 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs who is visiting Vienna in Austria, held a meeting with H.E. Dr. Karin Kneissl, Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. Austria holds the Chair of the Council of the European Union (EU) from this July and next year is a milestone year as “150 Years Friendship Japan-Austria”, and so this meeting served as an opportunity to exchange views broadly on the bilateral relationship, international relations and regional affairs.
2. The two ministers shared the view that the bilateral relationship will be strengthened in a broad range of areas, including politics, the economy and culture, in the run up to 150 Years Friendship Japan-Austria next year. Minister Kono emphasized that the working holiday program should be further promoted from the standpoint of increasing people-to-people exchanges. Minister Kono also asked the Austrian side to facilitate long stays for business representatives in order to make it easier for Japanese companies to set up more businesses in Austria, and for restrictions on imports of Japanese food products to be lifted on a scientific basis.
3. The two ministers shared the view that they will collaborate on the Western Balkan region, and will cooperate toward an early into force of the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA).
4. With regard to North Korea, the two ministers shared the view that implementing all the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions is important, along with sharing the view that they will continue to urge North Korea to dismantle all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.
5. In addition, the two ministers also exchanged views on Iran’s nuclear problem, the situation in the Middle East, the situation in East Asia, including the East China Sea and South China Sea issues, and trade issues.