Japan-Portugal Relations
Japan-Portugal Foreign Minister’s Meeting
September 21, 2023
On September 21, commencing at 6:30 p.m. (local time; September 22, 7:30 am JST) for approximately 25 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting New York to attend the General Assembly High-level Week 2023, held a meeting with H.E. Dr. João GOMES CRAVINHO, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Foreign Minister Gomes Cravinho expressed his congratulations on the appointment of Minister Kamikawa. She expressed her gratitude and stated her wish to work closely with Minister Gomes Cravinho to further develop bilateral relations on the occasion of this year’s 480th anniversary of exchange between Japan and Portugal.
- Minister Kamikawa stated that she would like to promote cooperation with Portugal toward the realization of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Foreign Minister Gomes Cravinho explained that Portugal is working to become the centre of GX and DX in Europe, and two ministers welcomed together the development of the bilateral relations in the field of economy by touching upon specific cooperation progress in the hydrogen sector and other areas. Foreign Minister Gomes Clavinho also underlined that Portugal would work hard to actively participate in the Osaka-Kansai Expo.
- Minister Kamikawa explained the discharge of ALPS treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the sea. Minister Gomes Cravinho welcomed Japan’s efforts to promote transparency and the close cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
- The two ministers exchanged views on the response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and the situations in East Asia, and concurred on continuing to coordinate in dealing with North Korea, including nuclear and missiles issues as well as the abductions issue, among others.