Japan-Slovenia Relations
Japan-Slovenia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
August 14, 2019
On August 14, commencing at 9:00 a.m. (local time; 4:00 p.m. on August 14, Japan time) for approximately 70 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan held a Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with H.E. Dr. Miro Cerar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia during his visit to Slovenia. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- 1. Opening remarks
- 2. Bilateral relations
- 3. Western Balkans situation
- 4. Regional and international situations
1. Opening remarks
While Minister Cerar welcomed Minister Kono, Minister Kono stated that he felt honored to become the first Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan to visit Slovenia and that Slovenia is our important partner which shares fundamental values and the importance of a “United Europe.”
2. Bilateral relations
Minister Kono and Minister Cerar welcomed the recent active exchanges at a high level and shared the view to maintain dialogues between Foreign Ministers.
In addition, mentioning specific projects, Minister Kono stated that investment by Japanese companies into Slovenia has been expanding recently, which has advantages in IT and the high-tech industry and enjoys a geographical advantage for logistics in Europe, and that Japan would like to cooperate for the further expansion of bilateral economic relations and investments. Minister Kono and Minister Cerar shared the view to cooperate for the expansion of bilateral economic relations.
Furthermore, Minister Kono and Minister Cerar exchanged shared the view to cooperate regarding the expansion of sports exchange toward the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In addition, mentioning specific projects, Minister Kono stated that investment by Japanese companies into Slovenia has been expanding recently, which has advantages in IT and the high-tech industry and enjoys a geographical advantage for logistics in Europe, and that Japan would like to cooperate for the further expansion of bilateral economic relations and investments. Minister Kono and Minister Cerar shared the view to cooperate for the expansion of bilateral economic relations.
Furthermore, Minister Kono and Minister Cerar exchanged shared the view to cooperate regarding the expansion of sports exchange toward the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
3. Western Balkans situation
Minister Kono explained about Japan’s “Western Balkans Cooperation Initiative,” and stated that Japan would like to cooperate with Slovenia, which supports the Western Balkans’ EU membership with its expertise as the first member to realize EU membership among the ex-Yugoslavian countries.
In response, Minister Cerar stated that Slovenia has an interest in the stability and prosperity of the Western Balkans and welcomed Japan’s involvement in the region.
Minister Kono and Minister Cerar shared the view of the importance of the stability and development of the Western Balkans as a member of Europe and exchanged views about the possibility of further cooperation to support the Western Balkans’ EU membership, based on their cooperation in the mine clearing project in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.
In response, Minister Cerar stated that Slovenia has an interest in the stability and prosperity of the Western Balkans and welcomed Japan’s involvement in the region.
Minister Kono and Minister Cerar shared the view of the importance of the stability and development of the Western Balkans as a member of Europe and exchanged views about the possibility of further cooperation to support the Western Balkans’ EU membership, based on their cooperation in the mine clearing project in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.
4. Regional and international situations
Minister Kono and Minister Cerar exchanged views on the regional situations of East Asia and Europe, and confirmed their cooperation in the establishment of the rule of law in maritime affairs and North Korea issues.
Minister Cerar expressed his understanding of the importance of the early resolution of the abductions issue. Minister Kono and Minister Cerar also exchanged views on UN Security Council reform.
Minister Cerar expressed his understanding of the importance of the early resolution of the abductions issue. Minister Kono and Minister Cerar also exchanged views on UN Security Council reform.