Prime Minister Kishida, who visits member countries as the chair country of the G7 = seven major countries, has just arrived in Italy, his second destination.
At the summit meeting with Prime Minister Meloni, he reiterated the importance of a free and open international order and would like to confirm the strengthening of cooperation in the field of security.
Prime Minister Kishida, who is visiting five member countries in Europe and the United States in preparation for the "G7 Hiroshima Summit" to be held in May this year, made his second visit to Rome, Italy, shortly after 7:30 p.m. Japan time on the 10th. arrived on a government plane.
Afterwards, I will have a meeting with Prime Minister Meloni and will call for the unity of the G7 countries toward the Hiroshima Summit as the world faces the situation in Ukraine and food and energy issues.
In addition, he explained that he is working to drastically strengthen Japan's defense capabilities, and conveyed his intention to welcome the agreement by three countries, including the United Kingdom, to jointly develop the next-generation fighter aircraft for the Air Self-Defense Forces. outlook.
On that basis, I would like to confirm that Japan and Italy will further deepen cooperation in the area of security in order to maintain a free and open international order, including in the Indo-Pacific region.
The summit will focus on major themes such as security cooperation
At the summit, opinions will be exchanged on issues such as solidarity at the Hiroshima Summit in May and cooperation in responding to the situation in Ukraine. Security cooperation between the two countries will also be one of the major themes.
With China in mind, Prime Minister Kishida has a growing sense of crisis that the situation in Ukraine could spread to the Indo-Pacific region.
In order to enhance deterrence in the region, I would like to fundamentally strengthen Japan's defense capabilities and advance further in-depth security cooperation with the G7 countries.
Japan, Italy, and the United Kingdom have previously agreed to jointly develop a next-generation fighter for the Air Self-Defense Force.
Based on this, at this summit meeting, we will launch a new framework for consultations between the foreign and defense authorities, upgrade the relationship between the two countries to a "strategic partnership," and further strengthen security cooperation. I want to make sure.
summit meeting italy
Prime Minister Meloni of Italy, who has a meeting with Prime Minister Kishida, became the first female prime minister of Italy in October of last year following the parliamentary elections held in September last year.
Meloni is known for her critical attitude towards the EU as the leader of her right-wing political party, and she has repeated her country-first claims, such as making such remarks during the election.
For this reason, at first, there were concerns that the EU would not be able to keep pace with the EU in dealing with sanctions against Russia and other measures, and that the solidarity with each country would be shaken. In addition to emphasizing the relationship with the organization, it has set out a stance to continue to support Ukraine, which has dispelled concerns.
Meloni also criticized Russia's response in her policy speech, saying she "yielded to Putin's energy threats will not solve the problem."
Italy is strengthening its relationship with Japan in the field of security, such as participating in the development of the Air Self-Defense Force's next-generation fighter along with the United Kingdom, and it is expected that this summit will reconfirm the strengthening of cooperation.