Press Releases
Japan-EU Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
May 4, 2021
Japan-EU Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
On May 4, commencing at 2:20 p.m. (10:20 p.m. on May 4, Japan time) for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who was visiting London, UK to attend the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting, held a meeting with Mr. Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- Minister Motegi welcomed the Council conclusions on the “EU Strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific” as EU’s strong will for its engagement with the Indo-Pacific region. High Representative Borrell expressed his gratitude for Minister Motegi’ s explanation of the vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in January, and stated that it contributed to the formulation of the “EU Strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific”.
- Minister Motegi asked for continuous smooth vaccine exports from the EU member states to Japan, and High Representative Borrell stated that he would make efforts to ensure continuous smooth shipments to Japan. They also shared the view to cooperate on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the COVAX Vaccine Summit co-hosted by Japan and Gavi, climate change and environment, WTO reform, WHO review and reform, digital and others.
- They exchanged views on the situation in the East and South China Seas and a shared serious concern on the recent moves by China, including the Coast Guard Law, and the continued and strengthened unilateral attempts to change the status quo. They also discussed North Korea, and Minister Motegi asked for understanding and cooperation for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.
- They shared the view to make thorough preparations so as to make the next Japan-EU Summit Meeting successful. Minister Motegi also asked for cooperation from the EU to remove restrictions on imports of Japanese food products.