Japan-EU Relations
Japan-EU Foreign Ministers’ Working Lunch
April 7, 2022
On April 7, commencing at 1:30 p.m. (local time; same day, 8:30 p.m. JST) for approximately 1 hour, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who was visiting Belgium to attend the NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting, held a working lunch with H.E. Mr. Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission. An overview of the meeting is as follows.
- Considering the discussions at the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting held that morning, Minister Hayashi stated that Russia's aggression against Ukraine shakes the foundation of the international order and is a challenge to the security not only in Europe, but also of the entire international community including the Indo-Pacific region. In response, High Representative Borrell stated that the EU is making concerted efforts to impose sanctions against Russia and to provide assistance to Ukraine, and welcomed Japan responding in cooperation with the EU. They then shared the view to continue to collaborate with the international community as part of the G7.
- Minister Hayashi mentioned his participation at the Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, which was co-hosted by the EU and France in February. He welcomed EU’s growing interest in the Indo-Pacific region. They shared the view to advance cooperation in a wide range of areas, including the situation in Ukraine and a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific," looking ahead to the next Japan-EU Summit.
- They also held an exchange of views on a wide range of regional situations, including the Middle East and Asia in addition to Ukraine. They affirmed that they would continue to work together.