Japan-Ukraine Relations
Japan-Ukraine Foreign Ministerial Meeting
November 16, 2024
On November 16, commencing past 11:20 a.m. local time (6:20 p.m. Japan time) for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, during his visit to Ukraine, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Andrii SYBIHA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Sybiha welcomed Minister Iwaya and expressed his gratitude for the various supports from Japan. In response, Minister Iwaya stated that it was important for him to visit Ukraine at an early date and that he had decided to visit Ukraine as part of his first visit to foreign countries since assuming office. He also stated that the security of Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific is inseparable and that he would like to frankly exchange views on the deployment of North Korea’s troops to Russia. Furthermore, he stated that Japan will never waver in its position of standing with Ukraine.
- Minister Iwaya stated that Japan would cooperate with the efforts of the "Peace Formula" promoted by President Zelensky to bring a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. In response, Minister Sybiha explained Ukraine's efforts, and both sides concurred that they would continue to work closely together.
- Minister Iwaya stated that he takes seriously and strongly condemns the deployment of North Korea’s troops to Russia and its direct participation in the aggression. Minister Sybiha stated that he also agrees with Japan's position and explained the current situation. The two ministers agreed to strengthen information sharing and cooperation on the security environment surrounding both countries, and agreed to hold a bilateral high-level security policy dialogue between the two countries' diplomatic and defense officials.
- Minister Iwaya explained the recently announced support, including the provision of additional Self-Defense Forces vehicles, and that large-scale autotransformers, co-generation turbines, and distributed portable generators are scheduled to be provided for supporting the energy sector, which is facing difficult situations ahead of winter. In response to these supports, Minister Sybiha expressed his deep appreciation for Japan's assistance. The two ministers also agreed to work together for the international conference on Ukraine Mine Action to be hosted by Japan next fall.
- Minister Iwaya conveyed to Minister Sybiha that Japan's policy of public-private partnership in supporting the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine remains unchanged, and with a view to making concrete progress in these efforts, he welcomed the visit of Mr. Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, to Japan in December this year. The two ministers also agreed to accelerate negotiations on the revision of the Bilateral Investment Agreement.