Japan-Greece Summit Meeting and Working Dinner (Summary)

 
On January 30, commencing at 6:50 p.m. for approximately 25 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, held a Summit Meeting with H.E. Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, who was on an official working visit to Japan, followed by a working dinner commencing at 7:30 p.m. for approximately 50 minutes. The summary of the meeting and the working dinner is as follows.
 
The two leaders issued the “Joint Statement on Strategic Partnership between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Hellenic Republic” at a joint press announcement.
 
1. Introduction
(1) Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan and Greece are both maritime nations that share fundamental values, and that it is in the common interests of both countries to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law. Prime Minister Kishida also expressed his desire to strengthen bilateral relations with Greece as a “strategic partner” and to work more closely with Greece, including in efforts to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
 
(2) In response, Prime Minister Mitsotakis expressed his pleasure of visiting Japan and his desire for both countries to further develop bilateral relations as “strategic partners” in various areas and to work closely in the international community.
 
2. Bilateral relations
(1) The two leaders welcomed the significant progress made in bilateral economic relations on the occasion of Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ visit to Japan, including an agreement in principle on a convention for the avoidance of double taxation, the conclusion of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries’ public economic and financial institutions, and the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between both tourism authorities, and agreed to further promote bilateral exchanges between the two countries.
 
(2) Prime Minister Kishida also reiterated Japan’s request on Greece’s cooperation for the early lifting of the EU’s import measures on Japanese food products.
 
(3) After the Summit Meeting, the two Prime Ministers issued the “Joint Statement on Strategic Partnership between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Hellenic Republic” that aims for upgrading their relations to a “strategic partnership.”
 
3. International affairs
(1) Prime Minister Kishida stressed that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is a clear violation of international law, and the two leaders agreed to impose severe sanctions against Russia and provide robust support for Ukraine to end Russia’s aggression as soon as possible. Prime Minister Kishida also stated that, as the only country to have suffered atomic bombings during wartime, Japan will never accept Russia’s nuclear threat, let alone its use. Prime Minister Kishida added that, as this year’s G7 presidency, Japan will work with Greece in international efforts, including those to close loopholes in sanctions against Russia to steadily achieve their effects.
 
(2) The two leaders shared the recognition that reinforcement of the United Nations, including reforms of the Security Council, is essential. They also agreed that Japan and Greece will further strengthen cooperation in the international fora, including the UN.
 
(3) The two leaders also discussed various regional and international challenges of common interests, such as response to economic and security challenges including economic coercion; opaque and unfair development finance; response to North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and the abductions issue; the situation in the East and South China Seas and the East Mediterranean Sea. Both leaders also confirmed that the two countries will continue to work together.
 
[Reference] Attachment
・Joint Statement on Strategic Partnership between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Hellenic Republic ( English (PDF/199KB ) / Japanese (PDF/139KB) )