EU-Japan summit to advance a strategic, like-minded partnership

Today (27 May), Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel will represent the European Union at the EU-Japan Summit via videoconference. Japan will be represented by its Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga. Leaders are expected to discuss global issues, including the coronavirus pandemic response and recovery, especially the need to ensure safe, fair and accessible vaccines for all.

Ahead of the upcoming UN Biodiversity Conference in Kunming (COP15) and the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26), leaders will discuss enhanced cooperation and joint leadership in the fight against climate change, environmental protection and the circular economy. They will also discuss governance of the digital transformation and global economic governance.

The EU and Japan enjoy a very close partnership, underpinned by the Strategic Partnership Agreement, the Economic Partnership Agreement, and the Connectivity Partnership. Leaders will discuss their implementation with a view to reaping their full benefits. Following the recent adoption of the EU's Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, and in light of Japan's efforts for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, leaders will seek synergies to their approaches in the region, with the objective to enhance cooperation between the EU and Japan, as well as with other partners.

They will discuss challenges in their respective neighbourhoods and the threats to security and democracy, which, as like-minded G7 partners, the EU and Japan are committed to tackling together. Presidents von der Leyen and Michel will participate in a press conference following the summit, which will be shown live on EbS at c.11h CEST. For more information on EU-Japan relations, consult the website of the EU Delegation.

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