Japan-France Relations
Japan-France Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
April 5, 2019
On April 5, commencing at about 2:05 p.m. local time (9:05 p.m. on April 5, Japan time) for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who was visiting Dinard, France to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held a Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with H.E. Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. Opening remarks
(1) Minister Le Drian stated that he was delighted to meet Minister Kono again following the previous constructive discussions held at the Japan-France Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting (“2+2”) in Brest in January 2019, and that he would like to further develop bilateral relations.
(2) In response, Minister Kono stated that he was pleased to visit Brittany, Minister Le Drian’s home region again, and that he would like to closely cooperate with France on various regional situations and global issues based on the success of the recent Japan-France “2+2” Meeting.
(2) In response, Minister Kono stated that he was pleased to visit Brittany, Minister Le Drian’s home region again, and that he would like to closely cooperate with France on various regional situations and global issues based on the success of the recent Japan-France “2+2” Meeting.
2. Bilateral relations
Both Ministers agreed to work toward the early entry into force of the Japan-France Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA). In addition, both Ministers confirmed that Japan and France would cooperate closely toward holding the first Japan-France Comprehensive Maritime Dialogue.
3. Cooperation for the G20/G7
Both Ministers confirmed that Japan and France would cooperate closely in the fields including electronic commerce, data governance, promotion of free trade, and quality infrastructure, toward the success of the G20 Summit and the G7 Summit.
4. Regional situations
Both Ministers also discussed regional situations, and confirmed that they would continue to hold close exchanges of views. Particularly, in regard to the North Korea situation, both Ministers shared the view on the indispensability of maintaining through implementation of all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.