Japan-EU Relations
Meeting between Prime Minister Kishida and President Michel of the European Council
March 24, 2022
Prime Minister Kishida who has a talk with President Michel (Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
Prime Minister Kishida who has a talk with President Michel (Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
On March 24, commencing at 12:30 p.m. (local time; same day, 8:30 p.m. JST) for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, who was visiting Belgium for the G7 summit, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Charles Michel, President of the European Council. An overview of the meeting is as follows.
- Prime Minister Kishida stated that the crisis in Ukraine is growing more serious and that unity within the G7 is needed now more than ever. He emphasized the importance of close cooperation with the EU, with whom Japan shares fundamental values. In response, President Michel stated that he was grateful to Japan for swiftly imposing sanctions on Russia for its attacks on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for Japan’s support for Ukraine. The two leaders concurred that the G7 and international community would continue to cooperate to implement sanctions against Russia and support Ukraine.
- The two leaders shared the view that Russia's aggression against Ukraine is a serious situation that shakes the very foundations of the entire international order, not just for Europe but for Asia as well. The two leaders concurred to continue cooperation between Japan and the EU toward a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" and to work closely together to hold fruitful discussions at the G7 Elmau Summit in June.
- Prime Minister Kishida stated that North Korea's nuclear and missile activities, including the launch of an alleged new ICBM-class ballistic missile today (March 24), are a clear and serious challenge to the international community. They confirmed that Japan and the EU would continue to work closely together in dealing with North Korea.
- The two leaders concurred to coordinate to send a strong message from Japan and the EU to the international community at the next Japan-EU Summit Meeting.