Press Releases
Japan-Italy Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk
On January 7, commencing at 6:00 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a telephone talk with H.E. Hon. Paolo Gentiloni, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy. The overview of the talk is as follows.
1. Foreign Minister Kishida stated that the recent action by North Korea constituted a grave security threat that undermined the peace and safety of the region and the international community, and that Japan views this action as unacceptable and strongly condemns it. He also said that this action was a clear violation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the Joint Statements of the Six-Party Talks, and that it is extremely important for the international community to firmly take response to it. He further stated that Japan intends to promptly take response, in close collaboration with Italy which is a member of the G7.
2. In response, Minister Gentiloni stated that he agreed with Foreign Minister Kishida’s statement and expressed his solidarity, and explained that Italy strongly condemns this action by North Korea. He stated that it is important for the international community to show a stance of solidarity, and that Italy supports the United Nations and the international community taking new measures.
3. The two ministers shared the view that Japan and Italy, as G7 chair countries of this year and next year, would continue to collaborate closely. In addition, since this year is commemorable as the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Italy, they confirmed that they would cooperate to further enhance bilateral relations.