Japan-Austria Relations
Japan-Austria Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
May 13, 2023
On May 13th, commencing at 10:00 a.m. (local time; May 13th, 5:00 p.m. JST), for approximately 25 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is currently visiting Stockholm, the Kingdom of Sweden, to attend the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum, held a meeting with H.E. Dr. Alexander SCHALLENBERG, Minister for European and International Affairs, Republic of Austria. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi stated that he wishes to further strengthen cooperation with Austria sharing fundamental values with Japan, as the international order is being challenged and the collaboration among the like-minded countries is more important than ever.
- Minister Hayashi stated that he was pleased to see the active mutual visits between Japan and Austria towards the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and also welcomed that the Japan-Austria Social Security Agreement was agreed in principle in the intergovernmental round of negotiations in March. In response, Foreign Minister Schallenberg expressed his wish for an early entry into force of the agreement and for further development of the bilateral relations, including strengthening of economic ties between the two countries.
- Minister Hayashi asked for Austria's cooperation towards the early lifting of the EU’s import measures on Japanese food products.
- The two foreign ministers affirmed that like-minded countries will continue to be united in their response to Russia's aggression in Ukraine. In addition, the two ministers exchanged views on regional affairs such as China and North Korea.