On Monday, British Foreign Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Dominic Raab held the Japan-United Kingdom (UK) Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue with Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers’ summit. The two and a half-hour-long meeting was held at the Chevening House, which is the residence of the UK Foreign Secretary in Kent. During their meeting, the two leaders discussed their countries’ maritime cooperation and efforts towards achieving a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), among several other current events.
The UK government’s press release following the meeting highlighted Raab as saying: “In my talks with Foreign Minister Motegi we discussed Japanese support for the UK’s application to join CPTPP, tackling climate change and COVID-19 and the UK’s commitment for the Indo-Pacific which will be boosted further by the visit of the Carrier Strike Group later this year.” The ministers also exchanged views on economic issues and cybersecurity, the situation in Myanmar, and dismantling North Korea’s nuclear program; they also agreed to steadily implement the Japan-UK Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (the Japan-UK EPA). Raab further added that “the depth of the UK-Japan relationship is based around a shared outlook on democracy, free trade, tackling climate change, and security collaboration.”
In relation to the Indo-Pacific, both leaders reaffirmed that they would cooperate toward the realisation of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”. In this regard, Minister Motegi welcomed the UK’s announcement of the “Indo-Pacific tilt” in its Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy. Raab detailed the UK’s plan for deployment of a Carrier Strike Group to the Indo-Pacific region, including its port visits to Japan, which Motegi said symbolised the UK’s commitment to the region.
In recent years, the defence partnership between the two countries has deepened. In February this year, Raab, along with British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, virtually participated in the fourth Japan-UK Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting, also called the “2+2” meeting, along with Motegi and Minister of Defence Nobuo Kishi. During the talks, the UK announced that its aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, and her Carrier Strike Group, would make a visit to the region this year. The ministers also discussed the possibility of conducting a joint naval exercise to further their bilateral efforts towards a FOIP.
Japan has long been promoting the vision of FOIP, with a focus on the following three pillars: “promotion and consolidation of fundamental principles of the international community”, “pursuit of economic prosperity including through ensuring connectivity”, and a “commitment to peace and stability including maritime security”. The recent talks with the UK are reflective of Tokyo’s commitment to the issue.
Apart from this, Minister Motegi also met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In the meeting, the diplomats discussed the importance of their cooperation for promoting peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the world and reaffirmed their commitment to address and resolve issues through the US-Japan-Republic of Korea trilateral cooperation towards denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.
Japan FM Motegi Welcomes UK’s “Indo-Pacific Tilt” in Meeting With Raab
During a meeting with his British FM Dominic Raab, Japanese FM Motegi Toshimitsu welcomed the UK’s “Indo-Pacific tilt” and discussed avenues for cooperation to achieve a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”.
May 4, 2021
SOURCE: FOREIGN MINISTRY / VIA KYODO