Press Conferences
Extraordinary Press Conference by Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa
Sunday, March 20, 2022, 5:25 p.m. Abu Dhabi
Japanese
Opening Remarks
Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Yesterday, I visited Antalya in Turkey and held a Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu. Antalya is the hometown of Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu. The Antalya Diplomacy Forum is held annually under his initiative and is also the setting for diplomacy. A Foreign Ministers’ Meeting between Foreign Minister Lavrov of Russia, Foreign Minister Kuleba of Ukraine, and Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu was held recently in Antalya following Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu’s calling.
Regarding the situation in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu and I concurred that Russia’s series of actions, including the invasion, infringe upon Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and are a serious violation of international law prohibiting the use of force. Minister Çavuşoğlu provided a detailed explanation of Turkey’s diplomatic efforts based on its close relations with both Ukraine and Russia, and I expressed sincere gratitude and respect for the efforts made by Turkey. We confirmed that our two countries will continue to closely cooperate and coordinate our undertakings in the international arena to protect the foundation of the international order. We also shared the importance of the international community’s concerted response to Russia.
In addition, regarding the bilateral relations supported by historically friendly relations, we confirmed that we will further deepen cooperation in extensive fields bearing in mind the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkey in 2024.
Just before this, I held a meeting with H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the United Arab Emirates from 11:30 a.m. for approximately 30 minutes. Minister Jaber is not only a Special Envoy to Japan but also the CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, so he is the key for crude oil and decarbonization policy in the UAE. Due to the recent sudden rise in crude oil prices, Minister Jaber expressed a strong desire to support Japan including through the stabilization of the global crude oil market and efforts on decarbonization. We agreed to work closely on further expanding the cooperative relationship between our two countries.
After this from 7:30 p.m., I have plans for a Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and working dinner with H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation of the UAE.
The UAE is currently a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and holds the presidency of the Security Council this month. I will convey Japan’s firm position regarding Russia’s invasion and hold frank discussions toward close cooperation between Japan and the UAE. Furthermore, regarding the bilateral relations, I plan to hold discussions toward further progress in the energy field as well as many other fields taking the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries.
Furthermore, because Foreign Minister Abdullah, who I plan to meet tonight, visited the Japan Pavilion during the Expo 2022 Dubai a few days ago, I will visit the Japan Pavilion before I meet with him. I also plan to visit the UAE Pavilion as it is the host country, as well as the Ukraine Pavilion to show solidary with Ukraine. That is all from me.
Question-and-Answer Session
Reporter: During your meeting with the Special Envoy to Japan today, did you exchange views regarding the stabilization of the global crude oil market?
Minister Hayashi: Japan imports about 30% of its crude oil from the UAE, and we are important partners for energy security. During the telephone talk between Prime Minister Kishida and H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi held last week on March 15, they had a meaningful dialogue regarding cooperation toward stabilization of the global crude oil market. Today, during my meeting with Minister Jaber who is also the CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, I held a substantial discussion toward stabilization of the crude oil market with the UAE, an important member of OPEC Plus. In addition, Minister Jaber expressed a strong desire to support Japan including through the stabilization of the global crude oil market and efforts on decarbonization, and we agreed to closely cooperate going forward. I would like to firmly hold such discussions with Foreign Minister Abdullah during our meeting scheduled for tonight.
Reporter: I have another question. What urgent consultations have you held in particular concerning the situation in Ukraine?
Minister Hayashi: As I stated before, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine infringes upon Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is a serious violation of international law prohibiting the use of force. Japan will respond in close cooperation with the international community, including the UAE, to defend the foundation of the international order. During the emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly held on March 2 local time, the resolution on the invasion of Ukraine was adopted by 141 countries, including the UAE, which was an overwhelming majority of the international community. The strong determination widely shared in the international community was reaffirmed, and Japan welcomes this. Moreover, I would like to confirm close bilateral cooperation with Foreign Minister Abdullah tonight between Japan and the UAE, which has the important role of being a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council this year.
Reporter: The UAE is an opinion leader in this region. Turkey conducts various diplomatic efforts regarding the situation in Ukraine, as was explained in your meeting. Please tell us the significance of the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs visiting these two countries and holding foreign ministers’ meetings and the like at this time.
Minister Hayashi: As you stated, the UAE plays an important role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. In addition, as I stated at the outset, Turkey held a Foreign Ministers’ Meeting between the Russian Foreign Minister, Ukrainian Foreign Minister, and Turkish Foreign Minister during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Furthermore, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu himself has been actively conducting diplomatic activities, including visiting both Russia and Ukraine to hold foreign ministers’ meetings after the meeting in Antalya. My visit tog the UAE and Turkey certainly further strengthened cooperation for bilateral relations with each country. But we also held exchanges of views regarding the urgent issue of the situation in Ukraine, which I believe also helped further strengthen Japan’s diplomatic efforts toward resolving the issue of Ukraine.
Reporter: You mentioned earlier that you held discussions with the UAE toward stabilizing the crude oil market, and that your counterpart in the UAE stated that the UAE would support Japan. What explanation regarding the current crude oil market did you give and what kind of support did you request for Japan?
Minister Hayashi: As I stated before, particularly because Japan imports about 30% of its crude oil from the UAE, I stated that we would like to further strengthen various cooperative bilateral relations. In addition, as there are concerns about risks of destabilization of the energy market, including the crude oil market, due to the situation in Ukraine, we discussed the necessity of confirming cooperation on this matter and agreed to further strengthen cooperation.
Reporter: What kind of exchange of views and what discussions did you have particularly regarding Ukraine during your meeting with the Special Envoy to Japan today? Could you also tell us in a little more detail about what you specifically called for regarding crude oil?
Minister Hayashi: As I stated before, regarding the situation in Ukraine, I stated that Russia’s actions infringe upon Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and are a serious violation of international law prohibiting the use of force. I also conveyed that Japan will continue to respond in close cooperation with the international community, including the UAE, to protect the foundation of the international order. I would like to refrain from answering what my counterpart said since this is diplomatic communication. Now, what was your second question again?
Reporter: On crude oil, what did you ask for in particular?
Minister Hayashi: As I answered the question earlier, because Japan imports about 30% of its crude oil from the UAE, and amidst the risk of destabilization of the energy market, including the crude oil market, due to the situation in Ukraine, I stated that we would like to further strengthen bilateral relations. During our discussion, as I introduced earlier, Minister Jaber expressed a strong desire to support Japan including through the stabilization of the global crude oil market and efforts on decarbonization.