G7
G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Charlevoix (Overview of the Session 5 on the Middle East)
March 13, 2025
On March 13, commencing at 3:50 p.m. (4:50 a.m. on March 14, Japan Time) for approximately 65 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Charlevoix, Canada to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, participated in the G7 session on the Middle East. The overview is as follows (the session was attended by the Foreign Ministers of the G7 countries and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy).
- In this session, the G7 ministers engaged in a candid exchange of views on various issues pertaining to peace and stability in the Middle Eastern region, including Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, and Iran.
- On the Israeli-Palestinian situation, the G7 countries stressed the importance of a lasting peace and making progress in the implementation processes of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Minister Iwaya stated that the G7 would like to deepen discussions on a desirable day after of Gaza, taking into account the perspective of a two-state solution. He also stated that, with regard to the reconstruction of Gaza, Japan would like to work on expanding support and diversifying means through the Council for the East Asian Promotion of Cooperation for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD), a framework for supporting Palestinian development in cooperation with East Asian countries.
- On the situation in Syria, the G7 reaffirmed its support for a peaceful, stable and inclusive transition, and the necessity to prevent security instability, deterioration of the humanitarian situation and stagnation of the political process following the clashes in the north-west. Minister Iwaya introduced Japan's efforts of supporting the country and stated that Japan would like to support the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Syria by the Syrian people.
- The ministers also had a candid exchange of views on the situation in Iran and shared the G7's concern over the continuation of nuclear development activities. Minister Iwaya stated that the Japan would make utmost efforts in reaching out to Iran while leveraging its unique relationship with Iran.