Conferment Ceremony for Mr. Gunnar Wiegand, former Managing Director for Asia and Pacific at the European External Action Service

Mr. Wiegand held the role of Managing Director for seven and a half years, during which he held the position of Chief Negotiator for the Japan-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) and made exceptional contributions to advancing Japan-EU relations by contributing to the establishment of the Agreement and its effective implementation. Since its signing, Mr. Wiegand served as Co-chair of the Joint Committee, helping to facilitate key agreements between Japan and the EU on a range of common issues including the Partnership on Sustainable Connectivity and Quality Infrastructure in 2019, the Green Alliance in 2021, and the Digital Partnership in 2022. Prior to departing from his role, Mr. Wiegand also contributed to the initial discussions on the Japan-EU security defense partnership, which was launched in November 2024. 

Mr. Wiegand also played an important role in shaping the European Union’s Indo-Pacific Strategy by recognizing the undeniable need to strengthen Japan-EU cooperation in the region. Mr. Wiegand also contributed to the EU’s lifting of import restrictions on Japanese food products that had been in place for 12 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake. 

In his conferment speech, Ambassador Aikawa thanked Mr. Wiegand for his work and dedication and described him as a trusted interlocutor, a principled strategist, and above all, a tireless advocate for mutual understanding.  

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Wiegand said his work aimed to cement the close partnership with the EU’s most trusted partner in the region, and to seize new opportunities for closer cooperation. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the Government of Japan for the decoration.