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Polish, Japanese FMs discuss bilateral strategic partnership, support for Ukraine

08.09.2023 19:00
Poland’s foreign minister has met with his Japanese counterpart and the two talked about ways to deepen the Poland-Japan strategic partnership and bilateral trade.
Polands Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau (right) and Japans Yoshimasa Hayashi (left) meet in Warsaw on Friday, September 8, 2023.
Poland's Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau (right) and Japan's Yoshimasa Hayashi (left) meet in Warsaw on Friday, September 8, 2023. X/Polish Foreign Ministry

Poland’s Zbigniew Rau and Japan’s Yoshimasa Hayashi held talks in Warsaw on Friday, news outlets reported.

Poland-Japan strategic partnership

The Polish foreign minister stressed that “Japan remains Poland’s strategic partner in Asia.”

Both Rau and Hayashi said that the Poland-Japan strategic partnership, launched in 2015, is reflected in “advanced political dialogue, numerous high-level meetings and a deepening cooperation in the fields of business, culture and science,” according to officials.

Japanese investment in Poland, Polish exports to Japan

The Polish foreign minister expressed satisfaction at the recent wave of new Japanese direct investments in Poland.

The two politicians also discussed ways to facilitate the export of Polish goods to Japan, officials told reporters. 

Rau said: “In the economic sphere, Poland is especially seeking to attract even more Japanese investments and to boost the profile of Polish products on the Japanese market.”

Support for Ukraine

The two foreign ministers also talked about their countries’ ongoing support for Ukraine’s war effort against the Russian invasion, according to officials.

Poland’s Rau noted with appreciation “the scale of Japan’s financial and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine.” 

Reconstruction of Ukraine

Rau and Hayashi discussed ways to continue Polish-Japanese cooperation in supplying Ukraine with development aid and humanitarian assistance, as well as in the postwar reconstruction of the country, officials said. 

Poland’s top diplomat said: “Poland is open to working with Japan on joint projects for Ukraine, including on the reconstruction of the country.” 

Rau also encouraged Japanese companies to consider cooperation with Poland in this regard, according to officials.

Security cooperation

Poland's foreign minister also said: "We stand steadfastly for the unconditional respect of the principles of international law in any part of the world, both in Europe as well as in the indo-Pacific area."

He told reporters: "That is why we have decided to formalise our cooperation in the security area, and in discussion with the Minister, we are examining the Polish initiative to establish such a regular security dialogue with the participation of the foreign and defence ministers." 

Japan’s Hayashi visited Poland at the invitation of the Polish foreign minister, who had visited Japan in May.

Friday is day 562 of Russia’s war on Ukraine. 

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.

(pm)

Source: gov.pl, wnp.pl