April 17, 2023
On April 16, commencing around 7:10 p.m., Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, hosted a working dinner on the Indo-Pacific for approximately 140 minutes. The overview of the working dinner is as follows. (Attended by the G7 Foreign Ministers and the Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs, European External Action Service (EEAS) (Attending on behalf of the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy)). The G7 Foreign Ministers are also scheduled to continue to discuss matters such as regional affairs, including the Indo-Pacific, on April 17.
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At the outset of the working dinner, Minister Hayashi welcomed the G7 Foreign Ministers to Karuizawa and expressed his pleasure to be hosting the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Furthermore, Minister Hayashi expressed Japan’s intention, during the year of its G7 Presidency, to demonstrate the importance of a free and open international order based on the rule of law and the G7’s strong determination not to accept unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, as well as to strengthen engagement with the countries known as the “Global South.”
Following this, Minister Hayashi, as the representative of the only G7 member from Asia, explained recent developments in the Indo-Pacific, among other matters, and held an open exchange of views with the other G7 Foreign Ministers on various challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, including China and North Korea, and the G7 Foreign Ministers shared the view that the unity of the G7 is extremely important to this end.
Regarding relations with China, Minister Hayashi emphasized the importance of continuing dialogue with China, working together with China on global challenges as well as areas of common interest, and building a constructive and stable relationship, while also directly expressing our concerns and calling for China to act as a responsible member of the international community, and the G7 Foreign Ministers shared the same views. Following this, the G7 Foreign Ministers shared the view to oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, as well as to reaffirm the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element in security and prosperity in the international community and to call for the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.
In addition, regarding North Korea, Minister Hayashi expressed grave concern over North Korea’s launch of ballistic missiles with an unprecedented frequency and in unprecedented manners, including the launch in the previous week, and the G7 Foreign Ministers strongly condemned North Korea’s repeated launches of ballistic missiles. Furthermore, the G7 Foreign Ministers once again expressed their support for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.
Overview of the “Indo-Pacific” Session
1.
At the outset of the session, Minister Hayashi stated that the international community is at a history’s turning point and expressed his intention to resolutely demonstrate to the world the G7’s strong determination to firmly reject unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its threats of the use of nuclear weapons, as well as to uphold the international order based on the rule of law. Minister Hayashi also stated that, with the emerging and developing countries known as the “Global South” facing a variety of issues, the G7 intends to work together with them to tackle these issues.
2.
Minister Hayashi explained Japan’s views on a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” and the New Plan for a FOIP, and the G7 Foreign Ministers expressed their support. Furthermore, in addition to underscoring the importance of cooperating with India, the G7 Foreign Ministers shared the view to increase engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, including ASEAN and the Pacific Island countries, and, as part of the G7 framework, to regularize discussions and strengthen cooperation in relation to the Indo-Pacific.
3.
Regarding Southeast Asia, Minister Hayashi stated the need for the G7 to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN in the medium and long term, while supporting ASEAN centrality and unity, and the importance of cooperating with ASEAN in line with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). The G7 Foreign Ministers shared the view to strengthen engagement with ASEAN.
4.
Regarding Pacific Island countries, Minister Hayashi explained that Japan has opened diplomatic missions in Kiribati and New Caledonia this January and is strengthening its presence there. Minister Hayashi also explained that he visited Solomon Islands and the Cook Islands last month, following on from his visit to Fiji and Palau last May, and Japan is strengthening relations with Pacific Islands region. The G7 Foreign Ministers welcomed the increased engagement with Pacific Island countries and concurred on the importance of respecting the priorities and needs of Pacific Island countries in line with “The 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent”.
Overview of the “Ukraine” Session
During the session, there was an open exchange of views regarding the situation in Ukraine including an assessment of the current status and future prospects. Minister Hayashi stated that amidst the protracted war, it is important to maintain unity among the G7 and other like-minded countries, to continue severe sanctions against Russia and strong support for Ukraine, and to strengthen cooperation with countries including the so-called “Global South”.
Minister Hayashi also explained that Japan has announced related assistance for Ukraine and neighboring and other countries amounting to 7.6 billion US dollars to date. Moreover, Minister Hayashi stated that measures against evasion and circumvention of sanctions and third party weapon supply to Russia are important issues and condemned President Putin’s decision to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, which will further increase the tension of the situation.
The G7 Foreign Ministers confirmed that they remain committed to intensifying, fully coordinating and enforcing sanctions against Russia, as well as to continuing strong support for Ukraine. They underscored that Russia must withdraw all forces and equipment from Ukraine immediately and unconditionally. Also, in addition to condemning President Putin’s announcement to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, the G7 Foreign Ministers reaffirmed that Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric is unacceptable. Furthermore, they concurred into reinforcing coordination to prevent and respond to evasion of sanctions as well as third party weapon supply to Russia.
Overview of the Working Lunch on “Cooperation with International Partners”
At the working lunch, wide-ranging discussions were held on cooperation with international partners. Minister Hayashi stated that enhancing engagement with international partners through the active contributions of the G7 to various global challenges is one of the priorities for Japan as the G7 Presidency, and that, when doing so, it is important to fully consider the individual circumstances of each international partner and, rather than imposing values on them, to demonstrate the significance of a free and open international order based on the rule of law.
Furthermore, the G7 Foreign Ministers shared the view to cooperate closely in responding to the issues of energy and food security facing the world.
In addition, the G7 Foreign Ministers confirmed that they will further strengthen coordination between the G7 and the G20, including cooperation with India, this year’s G20 Presidency.
Overview of the “Iran and the Middle East” Session
With regard to Iran, Minister Hayashi explained Japan’s diplomatic efforts, including the telephone talk with Iranian Foreign Minister Abdollahian held in the prior week, aimed at addressing numerous issues such as Iran’s expansion of nuclear development activities and provision of drones to Russia. Minister Hayashi also stated that it is imperative that Iran take measures to ease tensions, including fully and unconditionally implementing what was agreed during the visit of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Grossi to Iran in March.
Following this, the G7 Foreign Ministers reaffirmed that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon and shared the view that they will continue to call on Iran to fulfill its obligations and political commitments regarding nuclear non-proliferation. In addition, the G7 Foreign Ministers confirmed that they will call on Iran to stop assisting the Russian military in its war of aggression against Ukraine.
Regarding the Middle East Peace, Minister Hayashi stated that the medium- to long-term stability in the region cannot be achieved without realizing the Middle East Peace, and that in order to maintain the prospects for a two-state solution, it is important to end the cycle of violence on the ground, create opportunities for dialogues, and promote confidence-building. On this basis, the G7 Foreign Ministers concurred that the G7 will continue to work together to address regional issues including the Middle East Peace.