Latvia and Japan plan to strengthen mutual support and cooperation in areas of mutual interest

RIGA - Latvia and Japan are planning to strengthen mutual support and cooperation in areas of mutual importance, according to an information report prepared by the Foreign Ministry and available on the Legal Acts Portal.

The Foreign Ministry, in cooperation with other ministries and the Japanese Foreign Ministry, has prepared a joint statement on strategic partnership between Latvia and Japan. It is planned to be published jointly during the visit of the President of Latvia to Japan on May 19, after a meeting between the President of Latvia and the Prime Minister of Japan.

The joint statement is a political, non-binding document confirming the common intention of Latvia and Japan to strengthen mutual support and cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

The Foreign Ministry noted that Japan, as a member of the G7, is one of Latvia's most important partners for political and economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, with which Latvia shares democratic values and an understanding of the need to protect the rules-based international order.

The ministry underlined that an active bilateral political dialogue is maintained, including between parliaments, between the Baltic states and Japan, as well as close cooperation within the framework of Japan's relations with the European Union and NATO. The ministry also noted that Japan has taken a firm stance against Russia's war in Ukraine, has imposed sanctions against Russia and has provided substantial humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.

The joint statement on the strategic partnership between Latvia and Japan underlines the active political dialogue and friendly relations between Latvia and Japan, which have lasted for more than 100 years. The joint statement includes a commitment to strengthen bilateral relations between Latvia and Japan in areas such as security and defense, trade and investment, cooperation within international organizations, cooperation in health, innovation, technology and digital development, and other areas.

The statement also reinforces the countries' shared understanding that the security situations in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region are interlinked. The ministry underlined that the statement expresses a clear and firm position of support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, as well as condemnation of Russia and countries that support Russia's actions.

The Foreign Ministry noted that the joint statement will provide a basis for regular high-level dialogue with Japan in political, economic and other areas of mutual interest.

Japan has also issued similar statements on strategic partnership with other countries in our region, such as Lithuania, Sweden and Norway.