‘It is symbolic for us on the occasion of the centenary of diplomatic relations and friendship to consolidate the bilateral strategic partnership between Lithuania and Japan. This reflects the global geopolitical realities and the mutual interests of our countries,’ said Prime Minister Šimonytė.
‘The relations between Lithuania and Japan build on the common values: respect for democracy, the principles of human rights and freedoms, and a rules-based international order that protects peace and stability in the world. To strengthen these principles on a global scale, the like-minded countries, such as Lithuania and Japan, need to work ever closer together, said Ms Šimonytė.
The Joint Statement on Strategic Partnership between the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the Government of Japan provides for regular political consultations on security and defence, increased economic, technological, cultural, scientific, education and tourist exchanges and cooperation.
According to the document, Lithuania, Japan, and the international community find themselves at a historical crossroads. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an attack that has shaken the foundations of the international community and fundamentally changed the security environment in Europe, while in the Indian and Pacific region, where the balance of power is rapidly shifting, the opaque expansion of military power and unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force continue and intensify.
Amid cyberthefts, the pursuit of national interests through economic coercion, the expansion of influence through opaque and fraudulent financing of development, it is imperative to uphold the norms and principles such as the rule of law and to increase the resilience of each country’s institutional governance, which has allowed the international community to thrive to date, reads the Joint Statement.
‘Apart from what has been outlined in the Joint Statement, Lithuania and Japan also share the memory of Chiune Sugihara, the Righteous Among the Nations, which should be passed on to future generations as a reminder of human kindness. It is particularly important in today’s world, when autocratic regimes are increasingly brazenly trying to undermine the principles of freedom, democracy and human rights,’ said Prime Minister Šimonytė.
The parties have also discussed the security situation in the Indo-Pacific region and in Europe as Russia continues its brutal war against Ukraine and blackmails the international community on issues of food, energy security and nuclear threat. The need to tighten sanctions against Russia and increase help to Ukraine have also been talked over.
The Prime Minister thanked Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida for his principled stance on Russia’s military aggression. This leadership will be key next year, when Japan chairs the G7 club, said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Ministers agreed that in the face of global security challenges, collective efforts to preserve the rules-based international order, solidarity among democracies and support for the principle of multilateralism are essential.
The Lithuanian and Japanese counterparts have paid much attention to the bilateral economic cooperation, also to Japan-EU relations.
