Press Releases
Courtesy Call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs TSUJI by H.E. Ms. Anne-Marie DESCÔTES, Secretary General of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic
November 16, 2023
On November 16, commencing at 2:15 p.m., for approximately 20 minutes, State Minister of Foreign Affairs TSUJI Kiyoto received a courtesy call by H.E. Ms. Anne-Marie DESCÔTES, Secretary General of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs during her visit to Japan. The overview of the courtesy call is as follows. The exchange was conducted entirely in French, without an interpreter.
- At the outset, State Minister Tsuji welcomed Secretary General Descôtes’ visit to Japan and the holding of the first meeting between Japanese and French Vice Ministers in about 12 years. He mentioned that he would like to work toward strengthening the Japan-France relations as State Minister, touching upon the active high-level communication between the two countries, including Japan-France foreign ministers’ dinner last week. In response, Secretary General Descôtes expressed her desire that her visit to Japan and the Vice-Ministers’ meeting would be an opportunity for the Japan-France relations to make a leap forward. She also noted that she is encouraged that a State Minister for Foreign Affairs who speaks French is making such efforts for the Japan-France relations.
- The two sides exchanged views on recent developments in bilateral relations and concurred on the importance of further strengthening bilateral relations between Japan and France as “exceptional partners” and “Indo-Pacific States.” They also confirmed their strong commitment to work together to realize a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”
- The two sides also exchanged views on the situations in Middle East and East Asia, and concurred to continue close cooperation between the two countries.