Press Releases
Japan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Working Lunch
July 3, 2023
On July 3, commencing at 11:30 a.m., Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a foreign ministers’ meeting (for approximately 45 minutes) and a working lunch (for approximately 60 minutes) with H.E. Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The overview is as follows.
- Minister Hayashi extended a sincere welcome to Minister Bhutto, the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit Japan in four years. Minister Bhutto expressed his appreciation for Japan’s support to date, including the response to the massive flood disaster that occurred in Pakistan last year. The ministers agreed to further develop the traditional friendship in all fields.
- Minister Hayashi expressed his hope for Pakistan to fully unleash its economic potential by improving the business environment. The ministers also welcomed future people-to-people exchanges to further flourish by advancing processes to accept workers from Pakistan under the Specified Skilled Worker Program.
- Minister Hayashi gave an explanation on a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP),” which Japan has advocated, while sharing the outcomes of the G7 Hiroshima Summit as the G7 Presidency.
- In addition, the two ministers exchanged candid views on cooperation in the international arena and regional affairs.