Press Releases

At the outset, Minister MOTEGI stated that Japan-Greece relations, spanning more than 125 years, have been flourishing across a wide range of fields, from the traditionally important maritime field to security and defense, culture and tourism. He also referred to Greece's accommodation of Japan Self-Defense Forces transport aircraft amid the deteriorating situations in the Middle East in 2023 and 2024, and expressed his gratitude for Greece's cooperation in such efforts to evacuate Japanese nationals. In response, Minister Gerapetritis stated that he would like to further develop coordination between Japan and Greece, not only bilaterally but also in international arenas, taking this occasion of today's meeting, given the traditionally friendly relationship between the two countries.

1. Minister MOTEGI expressed Japan’s desire to work ever more closely together with Greece, a strategic partner, toward realizing the updated "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)". In response, Minister Gerapetritis stated that Japan's efforts, including those related to FOIP, are important in promoting values shared by both countries, such as the rule of law.
2. Minister MOTEGI welcomed the selection of Japan as the Honorary Inviting Country for the first time at the Thessaloniki International Fair in September this year, and the two Ministers concurred on further deepening the economic relationship between the two countries.
3. The two Ministers confirmed that they would work together to ensure freedom of navigation and the safety of sea lanes, noting that both Japan and Greece attach great importance to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
4. The two Ministers concurred on further strengthening the bilateral relations in areas such as economic security, security and defense, and people-to-people exchange.

1. Regarding the situation in the Middle East, the two Ministers shared the view that it is important to restore free and safe navigation for all vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and to reach a final agreement including on Iran’s nuclear issue as soon as possible, and concurred on coordinating between the two countries.
2. The two Ministers shared the view that unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion are unacceptable anywhere in the world and concurred on continuing to coordinate on the situation in Ukraine and the situation in the Indo-Pacific, such as their responses toward North Korea, including the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue.
3. The two Ministers shared the view that it is essential to strengthen UN functions, including reform of the UN Security Council and concurred on deepening coordination between the two countries.