-
At the G7 will discuss situation
in Middle East and preventing a damaging and destabilising
regional escalation and further violence
-
Also on the agenda is collective support for Ukraine to
defend itself against Russia’s illegal invasion and help
secure a lasting peace
-
Foreign and Defence Secretaries meeting Japanese counterparts
to strengthen security partnerships following signing of
Hiroshima Accord earlier this year
Arriving in Japan (Tuesday 7 November) for the G7 Foreign
Ministers’ meeting, Foreign Secretary, will be addressing
developments in the Middle East, including to prevent a damaging
and destabilising regional escalation and further violence.
At the G7 conference in Tokyo, the Foreign Secretary will
meet G7 Foreign Ministers, including the Japanese Minister for
Foreign Affairs Yōko Kamikawa, to also discuss the UK’s long-term
commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.
The G7 Foreign Ministers meeting will build on the G7 Leaders’
Summit, that took place in Hiroshima in May, with a clear
agreement on military, diplomatic and economic tools being part
of the Ukrainian counter-offensive.
The Defence Secretary will also be holding bilateral meetings
with his Japanese counterpart Minoru Kihara, and both UK
ministers will later join their opposites for a combined meeting.
In the 2+2 meeting they will discuss closer security and defence
ties alongside support for Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.
The Foreign Secretary will also attend a reception on enhancing
relations between the people of the UK and Japan, with their
respective Youth Mobility and Working Holiday Schemes being
expanded by up to 500% to enable more opportunities for young
people to gain a better understanding of our cultures and
societies, through travel, work and life experience overseas.
Foreign Secretary said:
The UK and our allies are meeting to discuss the crisis in Israel
and Gaza and avoiding further regional escalations.
Alongside G7 partners, we’ll also be addressing other priorities
ranging from Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine to climate change,
economic security and global trade.
Defence Secretary said:
The UK and Japan share many closely held values, including an
enduring commitment to freedom and democracy, and it is an honour
to visit Tokyo during such a milestone year for our defence
relationship.
We will be driving forward progress on two major defence and
security treaties, which will protect both our peoples and bring
our nations closer together than ever before.
Six months on from the British and Japanese Prime Ministers
agreeing the Hiroshima Accord the UK and Japan have made strong
progress on its implementation.
The Reciprocal Access Agreement has been brought into effect and
both countries are now conducting more frequent, larger and more
complex joint exercises – including VIGILANT ISLES 23 this
November. The UK and Japan have also made progress on economics
& trade and science & technology. We have agreed to
cooperate as members of CPTTP, held our first strategic economic
talks, progressed our AI commitments and cemented our
collaboration on critical minerals.
At the G7, the Foreign Ministers will also discuss the need to
maintain collective support for Ukraine and how international
support from the UK and other G7 partners can be used most
strategically to help Ukrainian forces continue their progress on
the battlefield and secure a lasting peace.
The UK continues to support the Ukrainian government in the face
of this assault on their sovereignty and territorial
integrity. Alongside the international community we stand against
this naked aggression and for freedom, democracy and the
sovereignty of nations around the world.
