Press Releases
Japan-France Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk
On May 12, commencing at around 4 p.m.for approximately 25 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone talk with H.E. Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic. The overview is as follows.
1. At the outset, Minister Motegi expressed his respect for the efforts by the French government and public to improve the situation in response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In response, Minister Le Drian explained the state of measures in France to prevent the spread of infections, including the gradual easing of restrictions.
2. Regarding responses to COVID-19, the two ministers concurred on the need to share the information, lessons learned and insights of each country, while ensuring transparency, as well as the importance of coordination among the international community, including Japan and France, to contain the global spread of infections.
3. Minister Motegi expressed his intention to work together with France, an Indo-Pacific nation, to promote Japan-France cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region through the Japan-France Comprehensive Maritime Dialogue and other initiatives. In response, Minister Le Drian stated his intention to strengthen relations in a wide range of fields, including Indo-Pacific cooperation, through the holding of the Japan-France Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting (“2+2”), among others.
4. With regard to COVID-19 response measures, the two ministers shared the view to continue to closely share information and cooperate in fora such as the G7 and G20, on issues such as what the World Health Organization
should be and how to tackle disinformation. Furthermore, they agreed to work together to further develop bilateral relations, once COVID-19 has subsided and exchanges can be resumed.