Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met in Hiroshima with the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, on the occasion of the G7 Summit scheduled for 19 to 21 May. Mr. Kishida held a summit meeting with Ms. Meloni on May 18.
At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida welcomed Prime Minister Meloni’s visit to Hiroshima, and expressed his condolences for the loss of precious lives and tremendous damage caused by the heavy rains in Emilia-Romagna.
The two leaders confirmed their commitment to promote concrete cooperation as strategic partners and welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on the Agreement on film co-production.
PM Kishida stated that, at the G7 Hiroshima Summit, he would like to demonstrate G7’s determination to uphold and reinforce the free and open international order based on the rule of law and explained Japan’s view on the Summit as the Presidency. In response, PM Meloni expressed her intention to fully cooperate for the Summit. The two leaders affirmed to continue to work together closely towards the success of the G7 Hiroshima Summit.
Prime Minister Kishida welcomed the progress of cooperation in security and defense, and the two leaders shared the view to deepen discussions on concrete cooperation through the Political-Military Dialogue and other channels. The two leaders also welcomed the bright outlook for an entry into force of the Agreement on Social Security between the two countries, which is significant for further facilitating people-to-people and economic exchanges. Furthermore, Prime Minister Kishida reiterated his request for Italy’s cooperation towards the early lifting of import measures on Japanese food products by the EU.
The two leaders exchanged views on the situation in East Asia, and affirmed to continue to coordinate closely in addressing issues related to China and in dealing with North Korea, including on nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue.
The two leaders also exchanged views on addressing economic security challenges, opaque and unfair development finance and confirmed that they would continue to work together.
With regard to addressing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the two leaders affirmed to continue severe sanctions against Russia and strong support for Ukraine. The two leaders also concurred that they would send robustly to the world the determination of the G7 to uphold the free and open international order based on the rule of law, and demonstrate the unwavering solidarity with Ukraine at the G7 Hiroshima Summit.
