Press Releases
Japan-Estonia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Dinner
March 11, 2024
On March 11, commencing at 6:30 p.m., Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a bilateral meeting (for approximately 40 minutes) and a working dinner (for approximately 70 minutes) with H.E. Mr. Margus TSAHKNA, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia, 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 visit to Japan by Minister Tsahkna, and stated that Estonia 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 Estonia 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 Tsahkna expressed his pleasure at his visit to Japan and stated that he would like to take this opportunity to further deepen the good bilateral relations, including the economic partnership. - The two Ministers concurred that they would further enhance the Japan-Estonia cooperative relations in various areas, including economic aspects, such as ICT and start-ups, and security aspects including cyber security and economic security. Minister Kamikawa also expressed her hope that establishment of a Japan Chair in International Centre for Defense and Security, launch of Japan-Estonia Business Square, and utilization of the working holiday programs will further reinforce the bilateral exchanges and cooperation. As concurred in the fourth Japan-Baltic Cooperation Dialogue, the two Ministers also confirmed that they would promote the Japan-Baltic relationship mainly based on the three pillars, politics and security, economy, and people-to-people exchange.
- The two Ministers shared the recognition that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific are inseparable and exchanged the views on response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Minister Tsahkna expressed his high appreciation of Japan's support for Ukraine, including Minister Kamikawa's visit to Ukraine and organization of Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction, and the two Ministers concurred on continuing support for Ukraine. Minister Tsahkna also stated that he has been working on WPS since he was Minister of Defense, and highly appreciated Minster Kamikawa’s efforts to promote WPS, and the two Ministers concurred on the importance of reflecting the WPS perspective in support for Ukraine.
They also exchanged views on the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine 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 global issues, including strengthening the functions of the United Nations, including Security Council reform, and on addressing the economic security issues, and they concurred on deepening the cooperation. - 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 Kutani-yaki drinking vessel and offered dishes with ingredients from Ishikawa Prefecture at the working dinner, and Minister Tsahkna expressed his appreciation for the heartfelt hospitality.