Fumio Kishida – Ursula von der Leyen – Photo © European Union 2022.jpg
(TOKYO) – The EU and Japan took important steps to strengthen relations Thursday, from digital technologies, trade and investments, climate action, biodiversity protection, sustainable development as well as security.
This was affirmed at the 28th EU-Japan Summit involving Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, European Council president Charles Michel and Commission head Ursula von der Leyen.
“The EU and Japan have so much in common,” said Ms von der Leyen: “Our values of course democracy and the rule of law. Our economic model. As well as a certain vision of the world. We both promote a multilateral global system, based on rules designed to protect and benefit all. And it is precisely because this vision is so often challenged today, that the EU is looking to strengthen its relationships with like-minded partners, such as Japan.”
At the summit, the EU and Japan concluded a Digital Partnership, the first that the EU has signed with a partner country. This is a forum that is designed to give political steer and impetus for joint work on digital technologies in areas such as secure 5G, “Beyond 5G”/6G technologies, safe and ethical applications of artificial intelligence, or the resilience of global supply chains in the semiconductor industry.
The two sides also agreed to officially start exploratory talks on the association to Horizon Europe, and to step up further the implementation of EU Japan Green Alliance.
They welcomed the finalisation of negotiations on a Horizontal Aviation Agreement and will work towards the early establishment of one-stop aviation security arrangements.
The EU and Japan agreed on further steps to take full advantage of the potential of the Economic Partnership Agreement to support post-pandemic economic recovery.
The EU’s Global Gateway strategy opens new opportunities for cooperation and investments in secure and sustainable infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific region and elsewhere, notably on concrete projects.
The leaders discussed Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and its shockwaves across the world, as well as developments in the Indo-Pacific region. The EU and Japan´s common response to the war in Ukraine demonstrates the shared determination in defending the rules-based international order and effective multilateralism.
