Press Releases
Japan-Ireland Foreign Ministers’ Video Conference
December 9, 2021
On December 9, commencing at 6 p.m. for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a video conference with H.E. Mr. Simon Coveney, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence of Ireland. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi expressed his intention to work closely with Minister Coveney to deepen the bilateral relations, alongside realizing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” and reinforcing collaboration in international fora. In response, Minister Coveney, recalling his meeting with Minister Hayashi (Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries at that time) when he visited Japan as Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine in 2013, congratulated Minister Hayashi on his appointment as Foreign Minister and expressed his intention to further strengthen the bilateral relations.
- The two Ministers welcomed the progress in cooperation among companies in various sectors, including green technology and digitalization, and shared the view to further promote collaboration for the advancement of bilateral relations in political, economic, and other fields. In addition, Minister Hayashi requested cooperation for the lifting of EU’s import restrictions on Japanese food products. Minister Coveney explained situations of negotiation between the EU and the UK with respect to implementation of Northern Ireland Protocol. Minister Hayashi responded with his hope for early settlement.
- Minister Hayashi highly appreciated the Joint Communication on the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific announced in September. The two Ministers shared the view to strengthen cooperation among like-minded countries toward realizing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
- The two Ministers also exchanged views regarding the situation in the East and South China Seas as well as North Korea, including its nuclear and missile development, and confirmed that they would continue coordination on how to respond to North Korea, including in regards to the abductions issue.