Tokyo, 5 October 2022 (TDI): The Foreign Minister of Japan, HAYASHI Yoshimasa met with the representatives from the EU and Southeast Asian countries on Wednesday in separate meetings.
Meeting with the EU representatives
The European Union’s (EU) designated Ambassador to Japan, Jean-Eric Paquet, held a meeting of EU Member States’ Ambassadors in Tokyo, which was attended by HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs.
The EU delegation to Japan was represented by the 27 EU Member States and the EU by their Ambassadors at this regularly held meeting. The Foreign Minister was invited to the meeting as a special guest.
During the meeting, the Minister emphasized the need for cooperation between Japan, the G7, and the EU in order to address Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Minister Hayashi stated his commitment to strengthening the Japan-EU relationship for sustaining a free and open international order based on the rule of law throughout the world, including the Indo-Pacific area, in light of the current challenging security situation.
He also reaffirmed Japan’s demand for the EU to quickly abolish its import restrictions on Japanese food items. Subsequently, Minister Hayashi and the Ambassadors of the EU member states engaged in a discussion about world affairs, especially the situation in Ukraine.
Meeting of the Foreign Minister with the Southeast Asian representatives
The Foreign Minister also met the representatives from Southeast Asian states in a separate meeting.
In the meeting, Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa and the representatives jointly announced the official logo and tagline for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship.
Moreover, the Foreign Minister reaffirmed his commitment to collaborating closely with ASEAN for the next 50 years. Minister Hayashi further expressed his hope for active support from the ASEAN Member States’ Embassies in Tokyo in fostering the 50th Anniversary spirit.
In addition, Minister Hayashi and the Ambassadors and delegates reviewed the difficulties that Japan and ASEAN share, particularly the current top concern, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and decided to keep close contact with one another.
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