Japan-Netherlands Relations
Japan-Netherlands Foreign Ministers’ Working Dinner
July 7, 2022
On July 7, commencing at 7:21 p.m. local time (on July 7, at 8:21 p.m. JST), for approximately one hour, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Indonesia to attend the G20 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting, held a working dinner with H.E. Mr. Wopke Hoekstra, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi stated that he was pleased to have the first in-person meeting, that Japan attaches great importance to the relationship with the Netherlands, a strategic partner with which Japan has a historical relationship of over 400 years and shares fundamental values, and that he would like to further strengthen cooperation in dealing with Russia's aggression against Ukraine and towards the realization of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific”. In response, Minister Hoekstra stated that the Netherlands attaches great importance to the relationship with Japan and would like to strengthen cooperation bilaterally and in international fora.
- The two Ministers confirmed that Russia's aggression against Ukraine is an outrage that shakes the very foundations of the international order, not only in Europe but also including Asia, that any unilateral changes of the status quo by force are not acceptable anywhere in the world, and that there has never been a time like now when the unity of countries with shared fundamental values is required.
- The Ministers confirmed that they would further strengthen cooperation in areas such as security and economic security toward the realization of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific. In addition, Minister Hayashi requested cooperation for the early lifting of EU import restrictions on Japanese food products.
- The two Ministers also discussed the Indo-Pacific affairs and shared the view that any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force is unacceptable. They also confirmed that they would continue to cooperate in dealing with North Korea, including the nuclear and missile issues and the abductions issue.