Japan-Spain Relations
Japan-Spain Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
July 8, 2022
On July 8, commencing at 7:20 p.m. local time (on July 8, at 8:20 p.m. JST), for approximately 15 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Indonesia to attend the G20 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. José Manuel ALBARES, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi stated that he was pleased to have the first in-person meeting, that he highly valued the efforts by Spain as the host country of last month's NATO summit, and that he would like to further strengthen cooperation with Spain, a strategic partner, in dealing with Russia's aggression against Ukraine and towards the realization of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific”. In response, Minister Albares expressed his sincere condolences on the passing of former Prime Minister Abe, and stated that he attaches great importance to relations with Japan and would like to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation in various fields.
- The two Ministers confirmed that Russia's aggression against Ukraine is an outrage that shakes the very foundations of the international order, not only in Europe but also including Asia, that any unilateral changes of the status quo by force are not acceptable anywhere in the world, and that there has never been a time like now when the unity of countries with shared fundamental values is required.
- Taking into account the Japan-Spain summit meeting held last month, the two ministers confirmed their intention to strengthen cooperation between Japanese and Spanish companies, as well as collaboration between businesses in third-country markets such as Latin America and Caribbean, and to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between the two countries through frameworks such as the Japan-Spain Symposium. In addition, Minister Hayashi requested cooperation for the early lifting of EU import restrictions on Japanese food products.
- The two Ministers also discussed the Indo-Pacific affairs and shared the view that any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force is unacceptable. They also confirmed that they would continue to cooperate in dealing with North Korea, including the nuclear and missile issues and the abductions issue.