Press Releases
Japan-Ukraine Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
On March 2, commencing at approximately 7:00 p.m. for around one hour and 20 minutes, H.E. Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a foreign ministers' meeting in the form of a working dinner with H.E. Mr. Pavlo Klimkin, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, who is paying a visit to Japan as a Guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1 Beginning
At the beginning, Minister Kishida, welcoming Minister Klimkin’s first visit to Japan and their reunion, stated that Japan has been consistently contributing to resolving the issues surrounding Ukraine, respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Minister Kishida explained that Japan has pledged and is steadily implementing support of largest scale on an individual country basis in order to encourage efforts by Ukraine towards reforms. In response, Minister Klimkin expressed his sincere gratitude for the support extended by the Government of Japan thus far, as well as satisfaction with the visit to Japan, stating that Japan is the most important strategic partner in Asia and it was not a coincidence Japan has been chosen as the first destination of his visit to Asia.
2 The Ukraine situation and support for Ukraine
Minister Kishida, while welcoming the ceasefire reached in Minsk on February 12, expressed concern that hostilities are continuing in some area of eastern Ukraine even after the Minsk agreement and stated that Japan attaches importance to the solidarity of G7 and is actively working towards a peaceful and diplomatic solution. In response, Minister Klimkin expressed his gratitude for Japan’s proactive contribution. Minister Klimkin also provided a detailed explanation of the progress made in implementing reforms and the situation in Ukraine.
3 Investment agreement
The two Ministers welcomed the signing of the Japan-Ukraine Investment Agreement in February this year, and expressed expectation that economic relationship of both countries will develop further as a result of the conclusion of the Investment Agreement.
4 Cooperation on aftermath response to accidents at nuclear power stations
The two Ministers acknowledged that to share the experience of Fukushima and Chernobyl between the two countries and cooperate with each other will be meaningful. In addition, Minister Kishida proposed holding the third meeting of the Japan-Ukraine Joint Committee for the cooperation to advance aftermath response to accidents at nuclear power stations within this year. Minister Klimkin expressed his support for the proposal.
5 Regional and international affairs
Minister Kishida explained the increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan, and sought Ukraine’s understanding. In response, Minister Klimkin underscored that Japan’s security is also important for Ukraine.
In addition, the two Ministers shared the view on cooperation in the Japan-GUAM framework.
