Japan-Hungary Relations
Meeting between Foreign Minister HAYASHI and H.E. Mr. Péter SZIJJÁRTÓ, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary
February 23, 2023
On February 23, commencing at 4:30 p.m. (local time; February 24, 6:30 a.m. JST) for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is visiting New York,U.S. to attend the UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session on Ukraine and the Security Council Ministerial Debate, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Péter SZIJJÁRTÓ, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary.The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi stated that Japan and Hungary have enjoyed a historical relationships for more than 150 years, and that he was glad to see that exchanges have been revitalized overcoming the Covid-19.
- Regarding Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Minister Hayashi stressed that amid the protracted aggression by Russia against Ukraine, it is important for the international community to unite in continuing strict sanctions against Russia as well as strong support for Ukraine, and raise a united voice that unilateral change of the status quo by force will never be tolerated. Minister Hayashi further stated that Japan, as the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings during wartime, absolutely cannot accept Russia’s nuclear threats, let alone its use of nuclear weapons. Both Ministers confirmed that they will continue to work closely together on the response to the situation in Ukraine.
- Minister Hayashi explained that in light of the increasingly severe security environment, Japan formulated the new National Security Strategy at the end of last year.
- The two ministers exchanged views on the situation in the East and South China Sea, dealing with North Korea including on the nuclear and missile issues and the abductions issue, strengthening the functions of the United Nations including Security Council reform, and "V4+Japan" cooperation, and confirmed that they will continue to work closely together.
- Minister Hayashi reiterated Japan’s request for Hungary’s cooperation in early lifting of import measures on Japanese food products by the EU.