Japan-Malta Relations
Japan-Malta Summit Meeting
August 1, 2018
On August 1, commencing at 6:10 p.m. for approximately 50 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit meeting with H.E. Dr. Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister of the Republic of Malta. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the beginning, Prime Minister Abe welcomed Prime Minister Muscat’s visit to Japan for the first time, and stated that the two countries were important partners sharing fundamental values and were both maritime countries, and noted that he would like to work closely together with Malta in a wide range of fields, including the rule of law at sea and the North Korea situation. Prime Minister Muscat extended his condolences and sympathies to the casualties and victims of the natural disasters that struck Japan last month. Furthermore, Prime Minister Muscat explained that he wore a blue ribbon badge to express his solidarity with the victims of North Korea’s abductions, and he also stated that Japan and Malta were both maritime countries, and that he hoped to discuss a frank and sincere cooperative relationship at today’s meeting.
- With regard to the bilateral relations, the two leaders shared the view that people-to-people exchanges would be capitalized on to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. From that point of view they welcomed that Malta had been able to participate in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme for the first time, and shared the view that they would accelerate negotiations for the launching of a working holiday program.
- The two leaders expressed expectation that the 50-member business mission to Japan that is accompanying Prime Minister Muscat on this visit would serve as an opportunity to further develop the relationship on the economic aspect.
- With regard to North Korea, the two leaders confirmed the need to realize the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement (CVID) of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges. They also shared the view that they would continue to work together for the full implementation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. In addition, Prime Minister Abe requested understanding and cooperation towards promptly resolving the abductions issue, and obtained the support of Prime Minister Muscat.
- The two leaders also discussed the situation in Europe, including the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union.