Japan-Netherlands Relations
Japan-Netherlands Summit Meeting
Photograph of the leaders shaking hands (Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Photograph of the Japan-Netherlands Summit Meeting (Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On January 9, commencing at 5:30 p.m. (1:30 a.m. on January 10, Japan time) for approximately one and a half hours, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, who was visiting the Kingdom of the Netherlands, held a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. Opening Remarks
(1) Prime Minister Rutte expressed his pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Abe to Rotterdam, a major hub for trade between the Netherlands and Japan, symbolizing cooperation between the two countries. In response, Prime Minister Abe stated that he was pleased to visit the Netherlands for the first time in approximately four years and 10 months, and that Japan attaches importance to the relations with the Netherlands, an important strategic partner sharing universal values with Japan and performing a pivotal role in Europe.
(2) Prime Minister Abe explained that Japan has decided to invite the Netherlands to the G20 Osaka Summit this year. In addition, the two leaders shared the view that they would work closely, including cooperation in international fora in the fields of free trade amongst others.
2. G20
(1) While Prime Minister Rutte expressed his gratitude for the invitation to the G20 Osaka Summit, Prime Minister Abe stated that he would like to work closely at the G20 this year through achieving both economic growth and reduction of disparities as well as contributing to the environment and global issues.
(2) The two leaders shared the view that the two countries would cooperate on dealing with climate change and ocean plastic waste, and on utilizing innovation for resolving social challenges such as aging societies.
3. Bilateral Relations
The two leaders welcomed the cooperation especially in the field of agriculture and economic exchanges since “the Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Peace and Prosperity” had been established in 2015, and stated that they would further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the future.
4. The United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU)
(1) Prime Minister Abe stated that the U.K.’s withdrawal from the EU is the issue that concerns such as corporate activities and the global economy, and the two leaders confirmed the importance of ensuring that the withdrawal process would proceed, with the impact on the global economy being minimized through securing predictability and legal stability by establishing the transition period.
(2) The two leaders confirmed that Japan and Europe would cooperate closely for the stability and prosperity of the world.
5. Regional Affairs
With regard to the North Korea situation, the two leaders shared the view that it is necessary to fully implement the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions in order to achieve the complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement (CVID) of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges by North Korea. In addition, Prime Minister Abe requested Prime Minister Rutte’s understanding and cooperation towards the early resolution of the abductions issue, and obtained Prime Minister Rutte’s support.