Japan-France Relations
Japan-France Summit Meeting and Working Lunch
April 23, 2019
Prime Minister being welcomed by the President of France(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Prime Minister being welcomed by the President of France(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Japan-France Summit Meeting(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On April 23, commencing at 0:10 p.m. (7:10 p.m. on April 23, Japan time) for approximately 50 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, who was visiting France, held a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, followed by a working lunch that commenced at 1:00 p.m. for approximately 80 minutes. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
Joint press announcement(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Joint press announcement(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Joint press announcement(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
1. Opening Remarks
(1) President Macron welcomed Prime Minister Abe’s visit to France, and stated that he would like to work together as the Chairs of the G7 and G20 respectively this year. In response, Prime Minister Abe expressed his appreciation for the support from France for the “Japonismes 2018,” which ended successfully last February, and stated his determination to lead the world forward with France as the Chairs of the G20 and G7 respectively.
(2) Prime Minister Abe also extended his sincere sympathies to President Macron and the French people for the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. President Macron expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Abe in response.
(2) Prime Minister Abe also extended his sincere sympathies to President Macron and the French people for the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. President Macron expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Abe in response.
2. G20 and G7 Cooperation
(1) The two leaders confirmed that they would increase synergy between the G20 and G7, and continue to work together as the Chairs of the G20 and G7 towards the success of the G7 Biarritz Summit and G20 Osaka Summit in 2019.
(2) Prime Minister Abe requested France’s strong support for the launch of the “Osaka Track” at the G20 Osaka Summit with a focus on data governance, especially e-commerce. The two leaders confirmed the necessity to maintain momentum for the reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO), based on a view that maintaining the free trade system is a priority for the international community. Furthermore, the two leaders agreed to send out a strong message on contributing to environmental and global issues, including climate change and marine plastic litter.
(2) Prime Minister Abe requested France’s strong support for the launch of the “Osaka Track” at the G20 Osaka Summit with a focus on data governance, especially e-commerce. The two leaders confirmed the necessity to maintain momentum for the reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO), based on a view that maintaining the free trade system is a priority for the international community. Furthermore, the two leaders agreed to send out a strong message on contributing to environmental and global issues, including climate change and marine plastic litter.
3. Bilateral Relations
(1) The two leaders confirmed that they shared the view to maintain and strengthen a free and open Indo-Pacific, and that they would work together to implement concrete projects.
(2) Regarding security and defense, Prime Minister Abe welcomed the recent development of concrete cooperation; the joint training exercise between the French naval frigate Vendémiaire and the Maritime Self-Defense Force, a joint training under coordination with the French aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle in the Indian Ocean, and cooperation toward the early entry into force of the Japan-France Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA), among others. Based on the success of the Japan-France Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting (“2+2”) held in January, the two leaders confirmed that they would work closely to realize cooperation on various fields including maritime security, and they shared the view to hold the first Japan-France Comprehensive Maritime Dialogue within the year.
(3) Regarding economic relations, the two leaders welcomed expandedcooperation between the two countries in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI), innovation, start-ups, and civil nuclear energy.
(2) Regarding security and defense, Prime Minister Abe welcomed the recent development of concrete cooperation; the joint training exercise between the French naval frigate Vendémiaire and the Maritime Self-Defense Force, a joint training under coordination with the French aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle in the Indian Ocean, and cooperation toward the early entry into force of the Japan-France Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA), among others. Based on the success of the Japan-France Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting (“2+2”) held in January, the two leaders confirmed that they would work closely to realize cooperation on various fields including maritime security, and they shared the view to hold the first Japan-France Comprehensive Maritime Dialogue within the year.
(3) Regarding economic relations, the two leaders welcomed expandedcooperation between the two countries in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI), innovation, start-ups, and civil nuclear energy.
4. Japan-EU Relations
(1) The two leaders confirmed that they would continue to strengthen Japan-EU relations bearing in mind that the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) entered into force in February this year and that the Japan-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) commenced into provisional application.
(2) Regarding the withdrawal of the UK from the EU, Prime Minister Abe expressed his expectation that the UK and the EU would avoid a “no deal” exit. In response, President Macron explained the current situation following the recent decisions of the European Council.
(2) Regarding the withdrawal of the UK from the EU, Prime Minister Abe expressed his expectation that the UK and the EU would avoid a “no deal” exit. In response, President Macron explained the current situation following the recent decisions of the European Council.
5. Regional Situations
The two leaders also discussed regional situations, and confirmed that they would continue to hold close exchanges of views.
(1) Regarding the North Korea situation, the two leaders confirmed that they would continue to closely cooperate based on the United Nations Security Council resolutions, toward the achievement of complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement (CVID) of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges by North Korea. President Macron stated that he would continue to contribute to ship-to-ship transfers through the deployment of patrol aircraft and ships, for which Prime Minister Abe expressed his great appreciation.
(2) Regarding Africa, the two leaders shared the view that Japan and France would work together to gain the momentum for African development toward the G7 Summit and the subsequent Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7).
(3) The two leaders also exchanged views on the situation on Iran, including the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
(1) Regarding the North Korea situation, the two leaders confirmed that they would continue to closely cooperate based on the United Nations Security Council resolutions, toward the achievement of complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement (CVID) of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges by North Korea. President Macron stated that he would continue to contribute to ship-to-ship transfers through the deployment of patrol aircraft and ships, for which Prime Minister Abe expressed his great appreciation.
(2) Regarding Africa, the two leaders shared the view that Japan and France would work together to gain the momentum for African development toward the G7 Summit and the subsequent Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7).
(3) The two leaders also exchanged views on the situation on Iran, including the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.