The EU and Japan will hold a summit on July 13 in Brussels

BRUSSELS, June 21 () –

The European Union and Japan will hold a summit in Brussels on July 13, in which the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will be able to meet face to face with the first Japanese minister, Fumio Kishida.

This is the 29th summit between Brussels and Tokyo and follows the annual meetings between both parties to enhance relations and close ranks on strategic issues such as the digital and green transition, as well as geopolitical issues such as the war in Ukraine.

The EU considers Japan the closest partner in the Asia-Pacific region and the relationship has increased with the Russian invasion against Ukraine, which has increased cooperation between the parties to impose sanctions on Russia and agree political, financial and military aid to Kiev.

At last year’s meeting in Tokyo, community leaders agreed to increase practical cooperation with Japan on cybersecurity, maritime security and crisis management. All in a geopolitical space with rising tensions due to the situation in Taiwan and the destabilizing role of North Korea.