EU-Japan: 6th meeting of the Joint Committee of the EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) held in Tokyo

On 16 March, the 6^th meeting of the Joint Committee under the EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) was held in Tokyo. It was co-chaired by Mr. Kitagawa Katsuro, Director-General of the European Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Mr. Erik Kurzweil, Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific, European External Action Service.

In this Joint Committee, Japan and the EU reaffirmed the importance of close communication and cooperation as reliable strategic partners. This is especially relevant as we are experiencing an increasingly severe security environment, and the intensification of conflicts and confrontations.

Japan and the EU reviewed the ongoing implementation of the Strategic Partnership Agreement, including the EU-Japan Security and Defense Partnership, the Digital Partnership, the Green Alliance, industrial and business cooperation and the Partnership on Sustainable Connectivity and Quality Infrastructure, and also discussed sectoral cooperation in areas such as science and technology, education, transportation, and space.

Furthermore, Japan and the EU exchanged views on regional issues of mutual interest. Both sides concurred to continue working closely and cooperating on various issues bilaterally and in the international community.