Japan-Italy Relations
Japan-Italy Foreign Ministers’ meeting
February 23, 2023
On February 23, commencing at 6:20 p.m. local time (8:20 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. Antonio TAJANI, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Italian Republic, 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.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi stated that he was pleased that the bilateral relationship had been upgraded to a strategic partnership at the Japan-Italy Leader’s meeting in January, and welcomed Italy's increased engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. The two Ministers concurred to further strengthen the bilateral relationship as strategic partners in a wide range of areas, including security, economy and culture.
- 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 to provide strong support for Ukraine.
- 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 and Minister Tajani 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.