Europe
Meeting between Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany
April 12, 2014
On Saturday, April 12 commencing at around 3:25 p.m. for approximately 50 minutes, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida met with H.E. Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany, who is currently visiting Japan in order to attend the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Hiroshima. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- Foreign Minister Kishida began the meeting by stating that as a foreign minister who is originally from Hiroshima, he has enthusiastically worked toward realizing “a world without nuclear weapons,” and that Foreign Minister Steinmeier’s attendance at the NPDI Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Hiroshima would add greater significance to that meeting.
- The two foreign ministers agreed to strengthen relations between Japan and Germany in the four areas of security, socioeconomics, regional situations, and personal and intellectual exchanges.
- The two foreign ministers exchanged views on the recent situation in Ukraine, and agreed that although the Russian Federation’s annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea is clearly in violation of international law, they would work toward easing tensions and avoid escalating the situation related to Ukraine.
- Foreign Minister Steinmeier asked whether tensions are increasing in East Asia, and Foreign Minister Kishida explained the situation in East Asia and pointed out the importance of holding dialogues.
- Foreign Minister Steinmeier invited Foreign Minister Kishida to visit Germany, and Foreign Minister Kishida expressed his gratitude for the invitation and stated that he intends to find an opportunity to visit Germany.