Press Releases
Japan-France Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk
October 17, 2023
On October 17th, commencing approximately at 7:00 p.m. for about 30 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone talk with H.E. Ms. Catherine COLONNA, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, to discuss the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Kamikawa expressed her heartfelt condolences to the people of France who fell victim to the terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants, and Minister Colonna expressed her appreciation. Minister Kamikawa also expressed her heartfelt condolences to the victim of the terror attack that took place last week at a high school in northern France, and Minister Colonna again expressed her gratitude.
- Minister Kamikawa stated that Japan has unequivocally condemned the terror attacks and has been paying close attention to the situation with deep concern as the tension in the situation increases, as well as that she has been communicating with the parties concerned in order to calm down the situation. In response, Minister Colonna explained France’s diplomatic efforts, including her visit to Israel and Lebanon.
- Minister Kamikawa explained that Japan is concerned about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza and that Japan will provide Emergency Humanitarian Assistance of total amount of 10 million US dollars through international organizations. The two ministers concurred on the need to ensure humanitarian access and humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip. The two ministers concurred to coordinate on securing the safety of the respective nationals.
- The two ministers concurred to continue to coordinate on various issues of the international community, including the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine, both bilaterally and among the G7 Foreign Ministers.