G7
G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Karuizawa, Nagano
(Overview of the “Indo-Pacific” Session)
April 17, 2023
On April 17, commencing at 9:35 a.m., Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, hosted the “Indo-Pacific” session, for approximately 60 minutes. The overview of the session is as follows. (Attended by the G7 Foreign Ministers and the Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs, European External Action Service (EEAS) (Attending on behalf of the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy).)
- At the outset of the session, Minister Hayashi stated that the international community is at a history’s turning point and expressed his intention to resolutely demonstrate to the world the G7’s strong determination to firmly reject unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its threats of the use of nuclear weapons, as well as to uphold the international order based on the rule of law. Minister Hayashi also stated that, with the emerging and developing countries known as the “Global South” facing a variety of issues, the G7 intends to work together with them to tackle these issues.
- Minister Hayashi explained Japan’s views on a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” and the New Plan for a FOIP, and the G7 Foreign Ministers expressed their support. Furthermore, in addition to underscoring the importance of cooperating with India, the G7 Foreign Ministers shared the view to increase engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, including ASEAN and the Pacific Island countries, and, as part of the G7 framework, to regularize discussions and strengthen cooperation in relation to the Indo-Pacific.
- Regarding Southeast Asia, Minister Hayashi stated the need for the G7 to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN in the medium and long term, while supporting ASEAN centrality and unity, and the importance of cooperating with ASEAN in line with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). The G7 Foreign Ministers shared the view to strengthen engagement with ASEAN.
- Regarding Pacific Island countries, Minister Hayashi explained that Japan has opened diplomatic missions in Kiribati and New Caledonia this January and is strengthening its presence there. Minister Hayashi also explained that he visited Solomon Islands and the Cook Islands last month, following on from his visit to Fiji and Palau last May, and Japan is strengthening relations with Pacific Islands region. The G7 Foreign Ministers welcomed the increased engagement with Pacific Island countries and concurred on the importance of respecting the priorities and needs of Pacific Island countries in line with “The 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent”.