Press Releases
Japan-France Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk
On Sunday, February 7, commencing at around 7:30 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a Japan-France Foreign Ministers’ telephone talk with H.E. Mr. Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development of the French Republic.The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. Minister Kishida explained that North Korea’s ballistic missile launch, following the fourth nuclear test last month, posed a direct and grave threat to the security of Japan, and undermined the peace and security of Northeast Asia and the international community, and was therefore totally unacceptable. Minister Kishida further explained that Japan had lodged a protest against North Korea. Additionally, Minister Kishida requested the cooperation of France, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), to accelerate consultations related to a UNSC resolution and achieve swift adoption of a strong resolution.
2. Minister Fabius commented that France shared Japan’s view and supported its position, further stated that this launch by North Korea was a clear violation of UNSC resolutions and was totally unacceptable, and that it was important for the UNSC to promptly send strong message.
3. Both Ministers confirmed that Japan and France would continue to cooperate closely, along with collaboration with other countries, forward adoption of a new UNSC resolution with strong provisions.