Europe

• (1) Minister Motegi stated that he would like to further promote cooperation, touching on last year’s 100th anniversary of Japan-Slovakia exchanges. Minister Korčok stated that he was very pleased to have an opportunity to exchange views face-to-face for the first time.
• (2) The two ministers welcomed the investment in Slovakia by Japanese companies and shared the view to deepen their economic relations, benefiting from the start of the Social Security Agreement in 2019.
• (3) Minister Motegi expressed serious concern about attempts to unilaterally change the status quo in the East and South China Seas. The two ministers concurred on strengthening cooperation to preserve and reinforce the international order based on the rule of law. Minister Motegi also asked for understanding and cooperation for the immediate resolution of the abduction issue.

• (1) Minister Motegi stated that he was pleased to meet Minister Szijjártó again since the Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Tokyo in March, and would like to promote "V4 + Japan" cooperation with Hungary, which will assume the V4 Presidency in July. Minister Szijjártó said that his visit to Japan in March was very meaningful, and that he was delighted to have an opportunity to meet and exchange views with Minister Motegi for the second time this year.
• (2) The two ministers welcomed new investment from Japanese companies in Hungary and shared the view to strengthen economic relations.
• (3) Minister Motegi stated that he would like to cooperate with Hungary for the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” In response, Minister Szijjártó expressed his understanding of the importance of respecting international law.
• (4) The two ministers exchanged views on regional situations including China, and North Korea,. Minister Motegi asked for understanding and cooperation for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.

• (1) Minister Motegi congratulated Minister Kulhánek on his assumption of office and stated that he would like to further develop their relationship by touching on last year’s 100th anniversary of Japan-Czech exchanges. Minister Kulhánek stated that Minister Motegi’s visit was a strong message to Europe and that he was pleased to have an opportunity to exchange views face-to-face.
• (2) The two ministers welcomed the signing of the “Action Plan for Cooperation between Japan and the Czech Republic for the period of 2021-2025” (English (PDF) / Japanese (PDF)) during this Foreign Ministers' Meeting. They confirmed the strategic partnership between the two countries and the development of cooperation across a wide range of subjects.
• (3) Minister Motegi stated that he would like to cooperate with the Czech Republic, which will assume the Presidency of the EU in the latter half of next year, to further deepen Japan-EU relations and for the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” Minister Kulhánek placed importance on the rule-based international order and stated that he would like to cooperate with Japan and the United States.
• (4) Minister Motegi expressed serious concern about any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo in the East and South China Seas and asked for understanding and cooperation for the immediate resolution of the abduction issue. Minister Kulhánek pledged his support.

[Note] V4 (Visegrád 4)

A framework for regional cooperation comprising of Poland (currently the chair), Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. It was founded in 1991 in Visegrád, Hungary. In addition to dialogues held between leaders, foreign ministers, and senior officials, cooperation in the framework “V4 + Japan” is also being promoted in a wide range of fields such as science and technology, third country support, disaster prevention, and the environment.