2024 Autumn Conferment of Decoration on Foreign Nationals
2024/11/5
On 3 November 2024, the Government of Japan announced the 2024 Autumn Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals, with Mr. Gunnar Wiegand, former Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service, being one of the recipients. In recognition of his contributions over the years to promoting and advancing cooperation between Japan and the EU on matters relating to foreign and security policy, Mr. Wiegand will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.
Mr. Wiegand was Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS) from 2016 until 2023 during which he served as the EU's chief negotiator for the new EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement. Mr. Wiegand also played an important role in, among others, the EU's Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, Europe Asia Connectivity Policy (the precursor for the Global Gateway initiative), and enhanced EU security engagement with Indo-Pacific partners.
Mr. Wiegand was Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS) from 2016 until 2023 during which he served as the EU's chief negotiator for the new EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement. Mr. Wiegand also played an important role in, among others, the EU's Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, Europe Asia Connectivity Policy (the precursor for the Global Gateway initiative), and enhanced EU security engagement with Indo-Pacific partners.