Japan-Luxembourg Relations
Japan-Luxembourg Summit Telephone Talk
May 12, 2020
On May 12, commencing at 4:00 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. ABE Shinzo, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit telephone talk with H.E. Mr. Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Prime Minister Abe expressed his respect for the fact that the people of Luxemburg has got control over the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in solidarity under Prime Minister Bettel’s leadership. Prime Minister Abe also showed his heartfelt congratulations on the birth of Prince Charles, the first child of their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince Guillaume and Princess Stephanie, on May 10. Prime Minister Bettel expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Abe and said that he would inform his Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Prime Minister Abe’s congratulation. Prime Minister Bettel explained the current situation on the easing of restrictions in Luxembourg and the EU and the current status of discussions toward economic recovery.
- Prime Minister Abe introduced Japan's measures against COVID-19 and explained the present status of the procedure to provide Avigan tablets for Luxemburg which requested the tablets. In response, Prime Minister Bettel expressed his gratitude for the provision of the tablets and also valued the measures taken by Japan against COVID-19.
- Regarding responses to COVID-19, the two leaders concurred that Japan and the EU would work to collect and share accurate information and continue international cooperation based on the rules such as transparency, swiftness and openness.
- Furthermore, Prime Minister Bettel valued Japan’s decision to postpone the Tokyo Olympic Paralympic Games, with expressing his understanding that such decision must have been difficult, and hoped that the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games would demonstrate that we have overcome COVID-19. He also expressed his wish to visit Japan as soon as possible once the situation permits. Both leaders shared the view to further develop bilateral relations in the future.