Japan-EU Relations
Japan-EU Foreign Ministers’ Working Lunch
August 3, 2018
On August 3, during his visit to Singapore to attend the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan held a brief working lunch for approximately 20 minutes commencing at 1:20 p.m. in local time with H.E. Ms. Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission. The overview of the working lunch is as follows.
1. Japan-EU Relations
(1) Minister Kono and High Representative Mogherini welcomed the signing of the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) on the occasion of the Japan-EU Summit on July 17, and agreed that Japan and the EU will continue to cooperate for early entry into force of both agreements. In addition, they agreed on the importance of further strengthening the Japan-EU relationship building on both agreements, and in particular, promote concrete dialogue and cooperation in a wide range of areas based on the SPA.
(2) They confirmed their intention to work closely in various ways towards the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit to be held in Brussels in October this year.
(2) They confirmed their intention to work closely in various ways towards the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit to be held in Brussels in October this year.
2. Regional and International Affairs
(1) Minister Kono and High Representative Mogherini agreed to provide maximum support to the efforts of the United States towards North Korea’s complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement (CVID) of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges. Moreover, they also agreed to continue Japan-EU cooperation for full implementation of the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
(2) They also exchanged views on other issues such as Iran nuclear agreement and maritime security.
(2) They also exchanged views on other issues such as Iran nuclear agreement and maritime security.