EU-Japan Summit: PM Ishiba & EU Leaders Discuss Cooperation in Tokyo

Strengthening EU-Japan Partnership

• 🤝 The 30th EU-Japan Summit in Tokyo reinforced a strategic partnership built on shared principles.
• 💡 This partnership is rooted in respect for democracy, human rights, a rules-based international order, and multilateralism.
• 🎯 Cooperation focuses on three key areas: security and defense, multilateralism, and trade and economic security.

Enhanced Security and Defense

• 🛡️ Europe's security is interlinked with the Indo-Pacific's security, with Japan being the first regional partner to conclude a strategic defense partnership with the EU.
• 🚀 Commitments include closer cooperation in maritime security, cyberspace, hybrid threats, non-proliferation, and the defense industry.
• ✅ Negotiations for a security of information agreement have been launched to deepen this partnership.

Economic Cooperation and Competitiveness

• 📈 The existing Economic Partnership Agreement has led to a 20% growth in bilateral trade, benefiting companies and consumers.
• 🌐 A new Competitiveness Alliance was launched, aiming to increase bilateral trade, fully implement the EPA, and promote mutual investment.
• 🔑 Efforts will focus on strengthening economic security through robust supply chains, protecting critical infrastructure, and countering unfair trade practices.

Innovation and Sustainable Transitions

• 🌱 Joint work on innovation, green, and digital transitions includes negotiations for Japan to join Horizon Europe, the world's largest research program.
• ♻️ The Green Alliance will foster cooperation on the circular economy, emission trading systems, and clean technologies.
• 💻 A working group is being established for submarine cable connectivity, including in the Arctic, to ensure secure data flows.

Global Governance and Rules-Based Order

• 🌍 Both parties reaffirmed commitment to multilateralism, supporting the United Nations and its Charter for peace and global cooperation.
• ⚖️ This includes upholding sovereignty and territorial integrity in regions like Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific.
• 🤝 The EU is stepping up cooperation with CPTPP countries to defend and shape open trade, advocating for meaningful WTO reform.