Press Releases
Japan-Hungary Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
On March 9, commencing at around 3:15 p.m. for approximately 55 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, who is visiting Japan to attend the 14th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (Kyoto Congress). The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Motegi expressed his willingness to have frank exchange of views on various issues such as bilateral relations, regional situation and "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" with Hungary, which is cementing its presence in the European Union. In response, Minister Szijjártó expressed Hungary’s intention to further strengthen cooperation with Japan, an important partner in Asia, and welcomed investments from Japanese companies.
- The two Ministers expressed appreciation for the progress made in economic relations, including resumption of Hungarian fresh pork imports by Japan and increasing economic activities of Japanese companies in Hungary. The two Ministers shared the view on making further headway in their friendly bilateral relations while taking into account the COVID-19 situation.
- Minister Motegi also expressed expectations toward Hungary’s active participation in Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and Minister Szijjártó responded with Hungary’s intention to participate in the EXPO.
- The two Ministers shared the view on further promoting “V4+Japan” cooperation between Japan and Hungary, which will assume the V4 presidency in July 2021.
- Minister Motegi pointed out the importance of fundamental values including the rule of law with reference to “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” In response, Minister Szijjártó agreed on the importance of a rules-based international order including the freedom of navigation in this region.
- During the exchanges of views regarding the regional situation, such as China and North Korea, Minister Motegi expressed serious concerns over recent developments, including China’s Coast Guard Law, and the two Ministers widely exchanged their views. Both Ministers agreed to oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo. In addition, Minister Motegi asked for understanding and cooperation toward the early resolution of the abductions issue, to which Minister Szijjártó offered his support.
[Note] V4 (Visegrad 4)
A regional cooperation framework consisting of Poland (current Presidency), Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. It was founded in Visegrad in Hungary in 1991. It holds dialogues at the leader, foreign minister, and senior working levels and promotes V4 plus Japan cooperation in a wide range of areas, such as science and technology, assistance to third countries, disaster risk reduction, and the environment.