EU and Japan Joint Statement "Continued Strong Sanctions Against Russia"... Also Condemning North Korea Missiles

"Asia and Africa Countries Will Be Encouraged to Cooperate"
"North Korea Must Stop Illegal Ballistic Missile Tests," Emphasized

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The European Union (EU) and Japan have decided to continue imposing strong sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and to strengthen ties with countries in Asia and Africa. They also strongly condemned North Korea's ballistic missile launches.

According to NHK on the 12th, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a meeting at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Tokyo with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, for about an hour. After the meeting, they held a press conference and issued a joint statement. During the meeting, the leaders of Japan and the EU reaffirmed their policy that Japan, the EU, and the Group of Seven (G7) will cooperate to strongly sanction Russia and continue supporting Ukraine.

In the joint statement released after the meeting, both sides strongly criticized "Russia's unjust military aggression as a blatant violation of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter," and declared, "We will expand sanctions on Russia and support Ukraine in cooperation with the G7 and like-minded countries."

Prime Minister Kishida stated, "Russia's invasion of Ukraine shakes the foundation of the international order," and added, "Japan will continue to respond firmly by cooperating with the EU to enforce strong sanctions on Russia and enhance support for Ukraine." He also emphasized, "Regarding sanctions on Russia, Japan and the EU have agreed to encourage cooperation with countries in Asia and Africa."

North Korea's nuclear and missile development was also discussed during the meeting. In the joint statement, Japan and the EU "strongly condemn North Korea's continuous illegal ballistic missile tests, including launches using intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) technology." They further stressed, "We urge North Korea to cease provocative actions and to completely, verifiably, and irreversibly abandon nuclear weapons, all ballistic missiles of all ranges, and all weapons of mass destruction and related programs as required by relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions."

They also criticized China's threats in the Taiwan Strait. Japan and the EU stated in the declaration, "We are seriously concerned about the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea," and added, "Japan and the EU will deepen exchanges of views on China's developments, including the human rights situation in Hong Kong and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region."

Prime Minister Kishida said, "The security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific is indivisible, and unilateral changes to the status quo by force are absolutely unacceptable anywhere in the world," and added, "Japan and the EU, which share fundamental values, should also cooperate to realize a 'free and open Indo-Pacific.'"

President Michel said, "We share the values of democracy and a rules-based international order," and added, "Through this consultation, we will strengthen cooperation in difficult areas." President von der Leyen also stated, "The EU will play a greater role in the Indo-Pacific."

Additionally, Japan and the EU agreed to form a "Digital Partnership," a framework for dialogue and cooperation in semiconductor supply chains, 5th generation mobile communication (5G) systems, 6th generation mobile communication (6G), and artificial intelligence (AI), and to hold ministerial-level dialogues annually. They also agreed to promote cooperation in climate change measures, economic security, and energy sectors.