Japan-Italy Prime Ministers’ Informal Talks (Summary)

[Provisional translation]

On June 15, commencing at 13:40 p.m. (local time; 8:40 p.m. JST) for approximately 5 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, who was visiting Puglia, Italy to attend the G7 Summit, held informal talks with H.E. Ms. Giorgia MELONI, President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic. The overview is as follows.

1. The two leaders welcomed the announcement of the Japan-Italy Action Plan and concurred to strengthen bilateral relationship through a steady implementation of the Action Plan.

2. The two leaders also concurred to commence formal negotiations on the Agreement on the Japan-Italy Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA). The two leaders welcomed the dramatic progress in cooperation between the two countries in the defense sector, including the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), and shared the view that they would further strengthen this progress.

3. President Meloni welcomed the significant progress that has been made in the year and a half since the two countries elevated their bilateral relationship to the strategic partnership, and the two leaders agreed to work closely together for the further development of Japan-Italy relationship.