Press Releases
Japan-Netherlands Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk
On July 29, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held telephone talks with H.E. Mr. Frans Timmermans, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, concerning the crash of the Malaysia Airlines airplane. An overview of the talks is as follows:
1. At the beginning, Minister Kishida expressed his condolences stating that he was deeply shocked by the crash of the Malaysia Airlines airplane over the eastern part of Ukraine and the tragic loss of many lives including many Dutch victims. Moreover, Minister Kishida stated that the Government of Japan attaches importance to the earliest identification of the cause, and gave an explanation on the additional measures against Russia announced on July 28. At the same time, taking mature relations between Japan and the Netherlands into consideration, Minister Kishida suggested possible cooperation of Japan from the standpoint of providing its maximum assistance to the Netherlands, many of whose people were victimized.
2. In response, Foreign Minister Timmermans stated that, receiving a telephone call at such a difficult time, the Netherlands felt unity with Japan and appreciated the proposal from Japan. Foreign Minister Timmermans also expressed his determination stating that, although they were under very difficult circumstances, they would never stop investigating the responsibility. Moreover, Foreign Minister Timmermans explained the situations, such as the Dutch investigation team not being able to enter the crash site due to the poor security around the site of the plane crash in Ukraine.
3. The two foreign ministers shared their views that they would continue their close contact toward early identification of the cause and stabilization of the situation in Ukraine.