Prime Minister Kishida agreed to hold a telephone talk with President Duterte of the Philippines on the night of the 17th for the first time after taking office, and to consider the establishment of a so-called 2 plus 2 ministerial talks on foreign affairs and defense between the two countries.
At the meeting, Prime Minister Kishida mentioned that he visited President Duterte's hometown five years ago when he was Minister of Foreign Affairs, and expressed his intention to continue to support infrastructure development including railways and measures against the new coronavirus. rice field.
In response, President Duterte congratulated Prime Minister Kishida on his inauguration and said, "Japan is a closer friend than my brothers."
The two leaders will work together to realize a "free and open Indo-Pacific", and in order to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries, a ministerial consultation on foreign affairs and defense, the so-called 2 plus 2, will be established. We agreed to proceed with the examination.
In addition, Prime Minister Kishida stated that he "strongly opposes attempts to unilaterally change the status quo in the East China Sea and South China Sea" with China in mind, and confirmed that he will continue to cooperate in dealing with North Korea, including the abduction issue. Did.