Japan-Italy Relations

September 25, 2018
Japan-Italy Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
Japan-Italy Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

On September 25, commencing at 11:00 a.m., local time (on 12:00 a.m. September 26 Japan time) for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who was visiting New York, to attend the United Nations General Assembly High Level Week, held a Japan-Italy Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with H.E. Prof. Enzo Moavero Milanesi, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italian Republic. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

1. Opening Remarks

At the beginning, Minister Kono stated that Japan would like to work closely with Italy that is a member of G7, sharing fundamental values including democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Minister Moavero Milanesi responded that he completely agreed with Minister Kono’s indication.

2. Bilateral Relations

The two ministers welcomed wide-range active exchanges between the two countries and the progress of the dialogue in various fields including the establishment of vice-ministerial consultations. The two ministers confirmed that they would continue to cooperate, in particular, in the area of security and defense, toward the early entry into force of the agreement concerning the transfer of defense equipment and technology, and the crystallization of the cooperation.

3. Japan- EU Relations

The two ministers welcomed the signing of the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in July and confirmed that they would continue to work together toward the early entry into force of the Agreement.

4. Regional Affairs

(1) The two ministers confirmed that it is important to ensure the full implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions towards the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

(2) The two ministers also exchanged views regarding to the situation in the East and South China Seas, and shared the view that they would continue to work closely to maintain an international order based on the rule of law.


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