Ambassador Shiojiri on the Japan-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement
Picture ©MLahousse-EPPGroup
Ambassador Shiojiri attended an EPP Group Hearing on the Japan-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) at the European Parliament on Thursday, 30th January.
In a far ranging speech Ambassador Shiojiri outlined in detail the potential and benefits of the Japan-EU SPA, stating that; “the SPA will be an agreement of substance. It is a strategic agreement that encompasses the entire relationship and promotes substantial cooperation on a wide variety of areas”.
In discussing current Japan-EU relations, the Ambassador outlined that; “Japan should closely cooperate with the partners that face the same challenges and share the same aspirations and responsibility. In this context I state with strong conviction that Japan and the EU are best-suited and indispensable partners.”
In describing what can be tangibly achieved between Japan and the EU through the SPA, the Ambassador pointed to 3 pillars where the SPA can have the biggest impact. These 3 pilliars; shared values such as the rule of law and human rights, peace and security, and sectoral cooperation, are areas where the SPA can “bring about truly positive impacts”.
The Ambassador concluded his remarks by saying, “we need an agreement that is substantial, but we also need to be swift. We have to make an agreement that lives up to the responsibility of our relationship.”
The full text of Ambassador Shiojiri's speech can be accessed here
