MOFA


 

On July 10, commencing at 10:30 a.m. local time (11:30 a.m. on July 10, JST) for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a Japan-New Zealand Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Rt. Hon.

Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, during his visit to Kuala Lumpur for the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings. The overview of the meeting is as follows:

1. At the outset, Minister Iwaya stated that amidst an increasingly severe regional strategic environment the strengthening of cooperation between Japan and New Zealand as partners in promoting a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" was reassuring, and looked forward to enhancing “Strategic Cooperative Partnership”, in light of the steady deepening of bilateral security cooperation.The two ministers welcomed that the two countries have decided to commence negotiations toward the conclusion of the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA).
2. The two ministers exchanged views on the severe security environment in the Indo-Pacific region including Pacific Island countries and affirmed that the two countries continue to closely communicate on the regional affairs. Minister Iwaya asked for Minister Peters’ continued understanding and cooperation for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue and gained the support.
3. The two ministers also concurred on strengthening multi-layered cooperation with allies and like-minded countries to play an important role in tackling the strategic issues in the region and further strengthening collaboration in the economic sector, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).