Press Releases

　On September 13, commencing at 4:40 p.m. for approximately 10 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a Japan-Italy Foreign Ministers’ telephone talk with H.E. Mr. Paolo Gentiloni, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy. The overview of the talk is as follows.

1. Minister Kishida stated that North Korea had forcefully conducted a nuclear test, which constitutes a threat on an unprecedented level to the peace and security of the region and the international community, and that Japan considered it to be totally unacceptable. Furthermore, Minister Kishida stated that the nuclear test was a clear violation of the successive UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and the joint statements of the Six-Party Talks, and expressed Japan’s intention to closely cooperate with Italy, including in response at the UNSC, in order to make a resolute response by the international community.
2. Minister Gentiloni stated that Italy shared Japan’s view and fully supported Japan’s position. Furthermore, Minister Gentiloni stated that this nuclear test by North Korea was completely unacceptable and it was important for the international community to work together in dealing with the matter.
3. The two ministers shared the view to closely cooperate between Japan and Italy in the international community, as the G7 chairs of this year and next year and as members of the UNSC next year, to strengthen pressure on North Korea.