Japan-Türkiye Relations
Courtesy Call on the President Erdogan of the Republic of Turkey by Foreign Minister MOTEGI
August 20, 2021
On August 20th, from 2:15 PM (local time, 8:15 PM Japan time) for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN, President of the Republic of Turkey, during his visit to Turkey.
- At the outset, Minister Motegi expressed his condolences on the loss and damages resulting from the recent large-scale wildfires on the Mediterranean coast, and then asked President Erdoğan for his cooperation with a view to further deepening bilateral relations as strategic partners under his leadership, based on the friendly relations lasting over 130 years. In response, President Erdoğan welcomed Minister Motegi’s visit and stated that he is determined to further develop long-standing friendly bilateral relations.
- Minister Motegi stated he would like to further strengthen their cooperation towards development of the economic and academic relationship in various fields, including the early conclusion of Japan-Turkey Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiation and the establishment of Turkish and Japanese Science and Technology University. He also introduced Japan’s efforts to achieve a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” and expressed his intention to establish a dialogue between Japan and Turkey, as maritime nations, and have in-depth discussions on various maritime issues including the maritime order based on the rule of law. In response, President Erdoğan expressed his intention to enrich the discussions between both countries facing various maritime issues, in order to build international order based on the rule of law.
- Both sides exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan, and shared the view to closely work together on this issue. Both sides also exchanged views on the situation in East Asia including China and North Korea. Minister Motegi also asked for understanding and cooperation for the early resolution of the abductions issue.
- Minister Motegi will have a meeting on future course of action with Ambassador Okada, who is on duty at interim office of Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan set up in Istanbul.