Japan-Malta Relations
Japan-Malta Foreign Ministers' Meeting
September 19, 2022
On September 19th, commencing at 15:00, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting New York, the United States, to attend the General Assembly of the United Nations, held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Ian BORG, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Malta for approximately 30 minutes. The overview of the talk is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi stated that Malta, which will serve with Japan as a non-permanent member of the Security Council next year, is a partner with which Japan shares fundamental values and that Japan would like to strengthen cooperation in a wider range of areas, including cooperation in the maritime affairs, which is of interest to both countries. Foreign Minister Borg expressed his assent, and the two Foreign Ministers concurred to work together to further develop bilateral relations including the promotion of people-to-people exchanges.
- Minister Hayashi stated that Russia's aggression against Ukraine was an outrageous act that shook the foundations of the international order and that any unilateral changes of the status quo by force are not acceptable anywhere in the world. With a view to Japan and Malta joining the Security Council next year, the two Foreign Ministers confirmed the importance of ensuring the rule of law and strengthening the functions of the UN as a whole, including the Security Council reform, amid the shaking of the international order.
- The two Foreign Ministers confirmed that they would continue to work together on the situation in the East and South China Seas, as well as in dealing with North Korea, including the nuclear and missile issues and the abductions issue.
- Minister Hayashi requested Malta’s cooperation towards the early lifting of import measures on Japanese food products by the EU.