NextFin news, On Thursday, September 11, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan and Portugal elevated their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership during a meeting between Japan's Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi and Portugal's Foreign Minister Paulo RANGEL. The meeting lasted approximately 50 minutes and focused on strengthening cooperation in various sectors including economy, security, and culture.
Minister IWAYA expressed condolences for the recent wildfires in Portugal and a tragic cable car accident in Lisbon, highlighting the long-standing friendship between the two nations dating back to the 16th century. He emphasized the importance of enhancing bilateral ties in a broad range of areas.
Foreign Minister RANGEL, visiting Japan for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, expressed his commitment to collaborate on Japan-Portugal relations and discuss regional and international issues. Both ministers referenced last year's memorandums of cooperation between their aid agencies concerning Portuguese-speaking countries and aid coordination, underscoring the significance of bilateral collaboration.
The two ministers also agreed to cooperate on international matters including the situations in Ukraine, the Middle East, and East Asia, particularly focusing on North Korea's nuclear and missile issues and the abductions issue.
This strategic partnership marks a new phase in Japan-Portugal relations, aiming to foster deeper economic ties, security cooperation, and cultural exchange. The announcement was made on the same day as the meeting, Thursday, September 11, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, The Japan Times, Jornal de Negócios, Observador
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