Japan-Austria Relations

1. On October 15, State Minister Tsuge participated in the OSCE Asian Conference in Vienna, where the headquarters of the Oragnization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is located. At the opening session, he made a statement after H.E. Mr. DIMITROVSKI, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of the Republic of North Macedonia, who co-chaired this conference with State Minister Tsuge.
2. In his statement, under the recognition that the security of Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific has become even more inseparable and severer, State Minister Tsuge expressed that the unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force must not be tolerated anywhere in the world. While he was referring to the importance of face-to-face dialogue also sharing his own experiences, he pointed out that the importance of the OSCE as a forum for dialogue for all member countries gathering frequently. He also stated that Japan would continue to co-operate with the OSCE in order to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law, even under difficult situations, such as the Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the growing tension in the Middle East.
3. Approximately 100 officials of OSCE member countries and partners for co-operation, international organizations and NGOs attended the conference. The participants had lively discussions on issues such as the WPS, climate security, the rule of law and human rights, peace and security in Europe and Asia in the future, and co-operation with OSCE member countries and other partners for co-operation.

(Note) OSCE Asian Conference
An international conference held every year under the co-organization of the OSCE and the OSCE Asian partners for co-operation. This year, Japan co-hosted the conference as the chair country of the Asian partners for co-operation.

1. On October 15, State Minister Tsuge hosted a reception on holding the OSCE Asian Conference, and made a speech on behalf of the government of Japan.
2. In his speech, State Minister Tsuge expressed his gratitude to those involved in the preparations for the conference, and stated that the fact that he was dispatched to this conference on the same day as of the general election for the House of Representatives has been announced proved that attaches importance in cooperation with the OSCE as the oldest Asian partner for co-operation.
   In addition, State Minister Tsuge expressed his belief drawing on his own experiences, that the foundation of diplomacy is the connection between people and stated that, as the chair of the Asian partners for co-operation, he would like to continue to work closely with the OSCE to enrich the various forms of connection between Asia and the OSCE, starting with this co-organized conference.

1. On October 15, State Minister Tsuge had a meeting with Ms. Kate FEARON, Officer in Charge, Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
   (Note) The post of Secretary General of the OSCE is currently vacant.
2. State Minister Tsuge stated that Japan attaches great importance to the role of the OSCE as a confidence-building mechanism that provides a forum for dialogue, and that, amid growing recognition that security in Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific is inseparable, Japan intends to continue its co-operation with the OSCE as the oldest Asian partner for co-operation, and expressed our intention to continue contributing to OSCE activities, including support for Ukraine, border control and election monitoring and so on.
3. In response, Officer in Charge, Secretary-General of OSCE Ms. Fearon expressed her deep gratitude for Japan's co-operation with the OSCE to date, and also introduced the initiatives of OSCE. Both sides shared the conviction that the OSCE Asian Conference would be a fruitful event, and confirmed that they would continue to promote co-operation between Japan and the OSCE.
4. In addition, the two sides exchanged opinions on regional affairs, including situation in Ukraine, and State Minister Tsuge stated that Japan would attend the “Ukraine Mine Action Conference” to be held in Switzerland from the 17th as the next host country, and to disseminate information about Japan's efforts to deal with landmines. Ms. Fearon expressed her respect for Japan's initiatives in this field.

1. On October 15, State Minister Tsuge had a meeting with. H.E. Mr. Zoran Dimitrovski, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of the Republic of North Macedonia.
2. Regarding the OSCE Asian Conference, State minister Tsuge emphasized his gratitude for the cooperation by the co-chair, the Republic of North Macedonia and stated that he would like to further strengthen cooperation with the Republic of North Macedonia, an important partner who shares fundamental values, in this year that marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Republic of North Macedonia.
3. In addition, State Minister Tsuge stated that under the “Western Balkans Cooperation Initiative”, Japan has been continuing to implement various measures to promote ethnic harmony and regional cooperation in the fields of disaster prevention, the environment, the economy, and people to people exchange with the Western Balkans region, including North Macedonia, and that Japan would like to continue to work together to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields.
4. In response, Deputy Minister Dimitrovski commended for Japan's contributions to the OSCE, and expressed his appreciation to Japan’s support for its technical and economic assistance. He also expressed his expectation for further development of bilateral relations, including economic relations.
5. The two sides exchanged views on regional situations, including the situation in Ukraine, and confirmed that the two countries would continue to work together on issues in the international arena.

On October 15, State Minister Tsuge hosted dinner and exchanged views with the representatives of the Japanese companies operating in Austria. In the discussion, he was briefed from the participants about the business situation and issues faced by each company, and exchanged views on the necessary measures for further improvement of the business environment in Austria and the EU. He encouraged the participants, who had been supporting the steady development of economic relations between the two countries while integrating into the local community in Austria for many years.

1. On October 16, State Minister Tsuge had a meeting with. Dr. Nikolaus Marschik, Secretary-General of the Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria.
2. State Minister Tsuge stated that Austria is an important partner who, in the face of international order being challenged, shares values and principles and also mentioned that the cooperation between like-minded countries is more important than ever and he therefore would like to further strengthen bilateral relations and EU-Japan cooperation.
3. In addition, State Minister Tsuge welcomed preparation status by Austria for the Osaka-Kansai Expo next year. He also mentioned the “26th Meeting of the Japan-Austria Committee for Issues of the Future” which began on the same day in Graz, and expressed his expectation that he would like to further strengthen bilateral relations in various fields.
4. In response, Secretary-General Marschik stated that he values the Japan-Austria Committee for Issues of the Future from the perspective of being held a meaningful exchange of views on timely topics.He also expressed his hopes for further development of bilateral relations, including strengthening economic relations and people-to-people exchanges.
5. In addition, the two sides exchanged opinions on regional and international affairs, including Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific region, and State Minister Tsuge stated that Japan would attend the “Ukraine Mine Action Conference” to be held in Switzerland from the 17th as the next host country, and to disseminate information about Japan's efforts to deal with landmines. Secretary-General Marschik expressed his respect for Japan's contribution to addressing various issues in the international community, including the situation in Ukraine.