Europe

(1) On May 1, Ms. ERI together with Mr. KONO Taro, a member of the House of Representatives, made a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Bakhtiyor SAIDOV, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Both sides discussed further strengthening of cooperation in the fields of AI through the "Japan-Central Asia AI Cooperation Partnership," and in various fields such as political affairs, economic affairs and people-to-people exchange, based on the outcomes of the first Summit of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue and the bilateral summit meeting held last December. Furthermore, both sides discussed economy including further strengthening of cooperation on diversification of critical mineral resources as well as security and international situation, and concurred to continue working in close coordination.

Ms. ERI explained the fundamental principles of the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” such as freedom and the rule of law.

On the same day Ms. ERI held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Muzaffarbek MADRAKHIMOV, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Both sides exchanged views on regional and international issues such as the situation in Afghanistan and Iran and the situation in East Asia such as their policies toward North Korea on the nuclear and missile issues as well as abductions issue, and concurred to continue working in close cooperation in the international arena. Ms. ERI asked for Deputy Minister Madrakhimov’s continued understanding and cooperation for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue and gained his support.

(3) On May 3, Ms. ERI, together with KONO Taro, Mr. INOUE Shinji and Mr. SUZUKI Keisuke, members of the House of Representatives, attended the 5th Japan-Uzbekistan Inter-Parliamentary Forum and a luncheon hosted by the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. At these meetings, the importance of inter-parliamentary exchanges for the development of bilateral relations was highlighted, and discussions were held on cooperation in the fields of trade, economy, and green energy, education and human resource development, and innovation and information technology.

(4) On the same day, Ms. ERI, together with Mr. KONO Taro, Mr. INOUE Shinji and Mr. SUZUKI Keisuke, members of the House of Representatives, made a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Akbar TASHKULOV, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The sides welcomed the active exchanges in the fields of law and justice between the two countries, which are strategic partners in maintaining and strengthening the free and open international order based on the rule of law, and concurred to continue cooperation toward holding the “Central Asia plus Japan Justice Ministers’ Meeting”.

(5) On the same day, Ms. ERI, together with together with Mr. KONO Taro, Mr. INOUE Shinji, and Mr. SUZUKI Keisuke, members of the House of Representatives, visited the memorial monument for deceased Japanese built by the Government of Japan and the Yakkasaray Japanese Cemetery in Tashkent, where the deceased Japanese detainees are buried, and offered flowers at these places respectively. They also visited Memorial Exposition Museum of the Japanese Citizen’s Sojourn in Uzbekistan in 1940s, and while listening to Director Ms. Risolat SULTANOVA explain the warm exchanges between Japanese internees and Uzbeks at that time, inspected items and materials from the period.

(6) During her visit to Uzbekistan, Ms. ERI gave a total of three interviews to local media, answering questions in the local language (Uzbek). In these interviews, Ms. ERI stated that relations between the two countries had reached new heights following President Mirziyoyev’s visit to Japan and the Japan-Uzbekistan Summit Meeting, and that she hoped to further build on the trust between the two countries that had been strengthened by the President’s visit.

(1) On May 4, Ms. ERI together with Mr. KONO Taro, Mr. INOUE Shinji and Mr. KEISUKE Suzuki, members of the House of Representatives, holded a meeting with H.E. Mr.Alibek BAKAYEV, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Ms. ERI stating that Kazakhstan is a strategic partner for maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law, and then both sides discussed further strengthening of cooperation building on the outcomes of the first Summit of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue and the bilateral summit meeting held last December.. Furthermore, Ms. ERI stated that, in light of the situation surrounding Iran, Japanese side would like to enhance cooperation in the field of energy security including oil supply.

Ms. ERI explained the fundamental principles of the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” such as freedom and the rule of law, and the Updated FOIP.

Both sides concurred to continue close cooperation in the international arena.

(2) On the same day, Ms. ERI together with Mr. KONO Taro, Mr. INOUE Shinji and Mr. KEISUKE Suzuki, members of the House of Representatives, held a meeting with H.E Mr. Yerlan AKBAROV, Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Both sides welcomed the progress made in private-sector cooperation in the energy sector in Kazakhstan and discussed further strengthening cooperation. Furthermore, Ms. ERI stated that, in light of the situation surrounding Iran, Japanese side would like to enhance cooperation in the field of energy security including oil supply.

(3) On the same day, Ms. ERI together with Mr. KONO Taro, Mr. INOUE Shinji and Mr. KEISUKE Suzuki, members of the House of Representatives, held a meeting with Mr. Askhat KHASENOV, CEO of KazMunayGas. Furthermore, Ms. ERI stated that, in light of the situation surrounding Iran, Japanese side would like to enhance cooperation in the field of energy security including oil supply.

(5) On the same day, Ms. ERI together with Mr. KONO Taro, Mr. INOUE Shinji and Mr. KEISUKE Suzuki, members of the House of Representatives visited the memorial monument for deceased Japanese and offered flowers.