Japan-Monaco Relations
Meeting Between Prime Minister Abe and His Serene Highness Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On October 25, commencing at around 9:15 a.m., Prime Minister Abe met with His Serene Highness Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco, who was visiting Japan, for approximately 25 minutes. A summary of the meeting is as follows. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Akihiro Nishimura and others on the Japanese side and H.E. Mr. Patrick Medecin, Ambassador of Monaco in Japan, and others on the Monégasque side.
1. Opening Remarks
Prime Minister Abe welcomed the visit of H.S.H. Prince Albert II and stated that it was an honor to meet H.S.H. Prince Albert II since His Serene Highness’s last visit to Japan in April 2007, which was 12 years ago. The Prime Minister also expressed his appreciation for H.S.H. Prince Albert II for His Serene Highness’s warm words of condolence regarding the recent Typhoon Hagibis. In response, H.S.H. Prince Albert II expressed his appreciation for his attendance to the Ceremony of the Enthronement and again expressed his condolences for the damages of the Typhoon Hagibis.
2. Bilateral Relations
Prime Minister Abe said “Japan and Monaco have friendly bilateral relations, based on the long relationship between the Imperial Family and the Royal Household. I was the Prime Minister in 2006 when the diplomatic relations were established between Japan and Monaco, and the 10th anniversary in 2016 greatly deepened the ties between our countries.” Prime Minister Abe continued that continuing this momentum, he would like to further strengthen bilateral relations through various efforts including cultural exchanges. H.S.H. Prince Albert II responded that “the relationship between Japan and Monaco are at a wonderful state, and I would like to further develop such relations.” His Serene Highness mentioned the cultural events he attends during his visit to Japan, especially the Vincent Van Gogh Exhibit at the Mori Art Museum in Ueno which includes paintings lent from Monaco and the “Cartier, Crystallization of Time” exhibit at the National Art Center, Tokyo, and stated that His Serene Highness is pleased with the development of cultural exchanges between Japan and Monaco.
Furthermore, H.S.H. Prince Albert II said that “Japan launched a good initiative for tackling the issue of marine plastic litter at this year’s G20 Osaka Summit. This is a matter of concern shared by our countries and I would like to cooperate on it.” In response, Prime Minister Abe stated that “G20 countries were able to commit to reduce additional pollution by marine plastic litter to zero by 2050 in the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision. I would like to exert leadership in achieving this goal.”