Japan-Germany Relations
Japan-Germany Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
September 6, 2018
On September 6, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, during his visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, held a foreign ministers’ meeting for approximately 40 minutes commencing at 6:05 p.m. local time (1:05 a.m. on September 7, Japan time) with H.E. Mr. Heiko Maas, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Federal Republic of Germany.The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. Beginning
At the beginning, Minister Maas offered words of condolence regarding the damage caused by the recent typhoon and the earthquake damage in Hokkaido, and Minister Kono expressed his appreciation.
2. Bilateral and Japan-European Union (EU) relations
(1) The two ministers shared the view that they will promote cooperation between Japan and Germany on support for reform in the Western Balkans , which aim to join the EU, and on intraregional cooperation, and that their Ambassadors in charge of the Western Balkans will hold consultations to that end.
(2) In light of the signing of the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the two ministers confirmed that they will both make efforts towards the early entry into force of the Agreement.
(3) In addition, they shared the view that Japan and Germany will strengthen cooperation in the lead-up to the G20 Summit that will be held in Osaka next year.
(2) In light of the signing of the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the two ministers confirmed that they will both make efforts towards the early entry into force of the Agreement.
(3) In addition, they shared the view that Japan and Germany will strengthen cooperation in the lead-up to the G20 Summit that will be held in Osaka next year.
3. Regional situations
The two ministers exchanged views on topics such as the situation in Syria and the Iran nuclear deal.
4. Cooperation in the international arena
(1) The two ministers shared the view that Japan and Germany will cooperate to advance United Nations Security Council reform as members of the G4.
(2) They confirmed that they will continue to cooperate in order to increase momentum for promoting the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).
(2) They confirmed that they will continue to cooperate in order to increase momentum for promoting the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).