At the EU-Japan Summit in Brussels on Thursday 13 July, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, reaffirmed their long-standing partnership and, in a joint declaration, set out the progress they have made together on trade, peace and security, green and digital transformation and economic security.
Trade
The three leaders welcomed the 20% increase in trade between the EU and Japan since the Economic Partnership Agreement came into force in 2019. To continue along this path, the EU has announced that it is lifting the restrictions it imposed on food products from the Fukushima region. Since 2011, the EU has required radioactivity tests to be carried out on these products prior to export. The decision to end these tests is “based on science and based on the proof of evidence and based on the assessment of the International Atomic Energy Agency” insisted the President of the Commission.
As for the restrictions that apply to certain European agricultural products entering the Japanese market (phytosanitary controls), the EU and Japan have agreed “to resolve these issues this year”, said the President, who expressed confidence in a positive outcome.
Economic security
Ms von der Leyen also said that the EU had not failed to draw inspiration from the Japanese model when it presented its strategy on economic security in June (see EUROPE 13205/7). The visions of both parties converge on the need to respond to economic coercion and limit the risks associated with economic dependency. In their joint declaration, the leaders pledge to “coordinate to build resilient supply chains and reduce strategic dependencies, and remain vigilant about developments that may impact the stable supply of critical minerals”.
Cooperation in the field of semi-conductors is particularly important to them. The summit also provided an opportunity to recall and welcome the recent signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation on semiconductors between the two parties.
The leaders welcomed as well the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding “for secure and resilient submarine cable connectivity” and an Administrative Arrangement to strengthen cooperation on critical raw material supply chains.
They also reiterated the importance of their Green Alliance in stepping up cooperation in areas such as grid technologies, energy efficiency and renewable hydrogen.
They welcomed the progress made under their Digital Partnership, launched in May 2022, while stressing the work that remains to be done, particularly on the development of 6G, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
Peace and stability
In their joint statement, the leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s war of aggression, condemned North Korea’s continued defiance of UN Security Council resolutions (see other news) and declared that they seek peace and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Ursula von der Leyen, stressed that the security of the EU and that of the Indo-Pacific region were indivisible. “We share with Japan the analysis that from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific [region], the world is one security theatre”.
With regard to relations with China, for which the EU27 adopted a common strategy on 30 June (see EUROPE 13213/2), the Japanese Prime Minster referred to an approach shared by the EU and Japan, which consists of favouring direct communication. “It is necessary to work with China to meet global challenges and establish constructive and stable relations through dialogue”.
To see the joint declaration: https://aeur.eu/f/825 (Original version in French by Léa Marchal and Pauline Denys)