Japan-Italy Relations
Japan-Italy Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
February 16, 2017
On February 16, commencing at 10:35 p.m. (6:35 a.m. on February 17 Japan time) for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is visiting Bonn, Germany, to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held a Japan-Italy Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with H.E. Angelino Alfano, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. At the beginning, Minister Kishida congratulated Minister Alfano on his inauguration and explained that he would like to lead the international community in addressing issues together with Minister Alfano in light of the fact that Italy assumed the G7 Chair from Japan and both countries are serving as Non-permanent Members of the UN Security Council this year. Minister Alfano expressed thanks for the congratulations and stated that he was happy with the long-standing friendly relations between Japan and Italy based on democracy.
2. The two ministers confirmed to further enhance security and defense cooperation between Japan and Italy, which are important partners in contributing to global peace and stability sharing fundamental values. They agreed that there existed a large potential for cooperation in areas of defense equipment and technology and that they would continue discussions on the possibility of further strengthening cooperation.
3. Minister Kishida stated that as last year’s Chair, he would give his utmost support to Minister Alfano at the G7 Lucca Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in April, and Minister Alfano noted that Italy highly appreciated Japan’s efforts at last year’s G7 Ise-Shima Summit. Furthermore, Minister Kishida commented that the G7 should discuss North Korea, the East China Sea and South China Sea in addition to terrorism and violent extremism as well as the situation in the Middle East. Minister Alfano agreed with these proposals and stated that he would like to discuss the situations in Asia and maritime security at the G7 meeting.
4. Minister Alfano commented that he was happy to have this opportunity to build a friendly relationship with Minister Kishida prior to the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The two ministers confirmed that they would closely cooperate in preparations for the G7 Lucca Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
2. The two ministers confirmed to further enhance security and defense cooperation between Japan and Italy, which are important partners in contributing to global peace and stability sharing fundamental values. They agreed that there existed a large potential for cooperation in areas of defense equipment and technology and that they would continue discussions on the possibility of further strengthening cooperation.
3. Minister Kishida stated that as last year’s Chair, he would give his utmost support to Minister Alfano at the G7 Lucca Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in April, and Minister Alfano noted that Italy highly appreciated Japan’s efforts at last year’s G7 Ise-Shima Summit. Furthermore, Minister Kishida commented that the G7 should discuss North Korea, the East China Sea and South China Sea in addition to terrorism and violent extremism as well as the situation in the Middle East. Minister Alfano agreed with these proposals and stated that he would like to discuss the situations in Asia and maritime security at the G7 meeting.
4. Minister Alfano commented that he was happy to have this opportunity to build a friendly relationship with Minister Kishida prior to the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The two ministers confirmed that they would closely cooperate in preparations for the G7 Lucca Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.