Japan-Spain Relations
Japan-Spain Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
February 23, 2023
On February 23, commencing at 2:55 p.m. (4:55 a.m. on February 24, Japan standard time) for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. José Manuel ALBARES, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain, during his visit to New York to attend the emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly and the ministerial debate at the United Nations Security Council. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- Minister Hayashi stated his intention to closely coordinate with Spain in defending the international order based on the rule of law, as Japan assumes the G7 Presidency and non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council this year and Spain assumes the EU Presidency in the second half of this year. Minister Albares stated that he welcomed the collaboration between the two countries.
- Regarding Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the two Ministers confirmed the importance of like-minded countries to unite to continue to impose strict sanctions against Russia and provide strong support for Ukraine as the aggression was prolonged. Minister Hayashi also stated that Japan, as the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings during wartime, could never accept Russia’s threat of nuclear weapons, let alone its use of nuclear weapons, sharing the recognition with Minister Albares. .
- Minister Hayashi explained the formulation of Japan’s new National Security Strategy at the end of last year, in light of the increasingly severe international security environment. Minister Albares welcomed the Strategy.
- The two ministers also discussed the situations of the East and South China Seas, addressing economic security issues including economic coercion, opaque and unfair development finance, dealing with North Korea including on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue, and strengthening the functions of the UN including the Security Council reform. The two ministers concurred on their further cooperation.