G7
G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Italy (Overview of “Middle East” session)
April 18, 2024
On April 18, commencing at 9:50 p.m. on April 18 for approximately 120 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Capri Island, Italy to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, participated in the "Middle East" session. The overview is as follows (G7 Foreign Ministers and The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy participated).
- During this session, the G7 members held a candid discussion on the situation in the Middle East, including an exchange on the most recent diplomatic efforts of each the G7 members.
- Minister Kamikawa stated that she was deeply concerned about the recent Iranian attack on the soil of Israel, which further deteriorate the current situation in the Middle East, and strongly condemned such an escalation. In addition, she explained that Japan is making all necessary diplomatic efforts, including calling for restraint from both Iran and Israel at the Japan-Iran Foreign Ministers' telephone Talk and the Japan-Israel Foreign Ministers' telephone Talk held on April 16.
- With regard to the situation in Gaza, Minister Kamikawa stressed that six months have passed since the terror attacks by Hamas and the following outbreak of fighting, and that the situation in Gaza is critical. She also called for an immediate ceasefire to ensure a sustainable environment for humanitarian assistance activities and the release of the hostages, hopes that this would lead to a sustainable ceasefire, and stated that Japan would actively and persistently make diplomatic efforts. Minister Kamikawa also explained that Japan has lifted the suspension of its financial contribution to UNRWA.
- The G7 Foreign Ministers concurred to continue address the situation in the Middle East.