Japan-Portugal Relations
Courtesy Call on President Rebelo de Sousa of the Portuguese Republic by Foreign Minister Motegi
On September 30, commencing at 2:00 p.m. (local time:10:00 p.m. JST) for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who was visiting Portugal, made a courtesy call on H.E. Dr. Marcelo Nuno Duarte Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic. The overview is as follows.
1. Opening remarks
(1) President Rebelo de Sousa welcomed Minister Motegi’s first visit to Portugal, and stated that he hoped to further strengthen the bilateral relationship between Japan and Portugal in this year, which marks the 160th anniversary of the signing of the Peace, Friendship and Trade Treaty between the two countries.
(2) Minister Motegi responded that he was pleased to visit Portugal for the first time since 2002 as a Japanese Foreign Minister, and noted that Portugal, holding the EU presidency in the first half of next year, is an important partner sharing universal values with Japan and that he hoped for continued close cooperation between the two countries.
2. Bilateral relations
(1) Minister Motegi said that he hoped the spread of the novel coronavirus infection would be soon be brought under control and that visits between officials at various levels would be resumed and bilateral relations would be further developed on the occasion of the 160th anniversary of the signing of the Peace, Friendship and Trade Treaty.
(2) Minister Motegi and President Rebelo de Sousa shared the view that they would work closely to further expand Japan-Portugal economic relations based on the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement that entered into force last year.
(3) President Rebelo de Sousa hoped that the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games would be held successfully next year, and expressed his intention to visit Japan during the Games.
3. Cooperation in the international arena
Minister Motegi expressed his intention to work with Portugal to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” in order to maintain maritime order based on the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific, to which President Rebelo de Sousa expressed his support.
4. Regional affairs
Minister Motegi and President Rebelo de Sousa exchanged views on regional affairs, including the East and South China Seas and North Korea, and shared the view on continuing to coordinate closely. Minister Motegi asked for understanding and cooperation toward the early resolution of the abductions issue and obtained the support of President Rebelo de Sousa.