Press Releases
Japan-Latvia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Working Dinner
February 8, 2024
On February 8, commencing at 6:30 p.m., Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a bilateral meeting (for approximately 45 minutes) and a working dinner (for approximately 80 minutes) with H.E. Dr. Arturs Krišjanis KARINŠ, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, during his visit to Japan as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Kamikawa welcomed the first visit to Japan by Minister Karinš, and stated that Latvia is an important partner for Japan, sharing values and principles such as freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and human rights and that she would like to strengthen cooperation with Latvia to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law and to ensure "human dignity" of each and every person.
In response, Minister Karinš mentioned that Latvia hopes to strengthen its ties in particular with Japan, in addition to the EU-NATO relations which Latvia has long emphasized, and he expressed his pleasure at his first visit to Japan and stated that he would like to take this opportunity to further deepen the good bilateral relations, including the economic partnership as well as security issues. - The two Ministers confirmed that they would strengthen their collaboration to further enhance the cooperative relations in various areas, including security, economy including energy, digitalization healthcare and infrastructure, and Japan-Baltic cooperation. Minister Kamikawa also expressed her hope that Latvia's participation in Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai and the utilization of the Working Holiday Agreement will further reinforce the bilateral exchanges and cooperation.
- The two Ministers shared the recognition that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific are inseparable, and Minister Karinš expressed his high appreciation of Japan's leadership as the G7 Presidency as well as Japan's support for Ukraine, including Minister Kamikawa's visit to Ukraine.
They also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and the situation in East Asia, and concurred to work closely together, including in dealing with North Korea including the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue.
Furthermore, they exchanged views on cooperation on global issues, including strengthening the functions of the United Nations, including Security Council reform. - During the meeting, in appreciation of the messages of sympathy for the damage caused by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake and in hope for the recovery of the affected areas, Minister Kamikawa presented a flower vase of Wajimanuri and offered dishes with ingredients from Ishikawa Prefecture at the working dinner, and Minister Karinš expressed his appreciation for the heartfelt hospitality.