COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Wednesday, 23 July 2025

● European Council   23/07/2025 11:45 | Statements and remarks | EU–Japan summit 2025: joint statement   President of the European Council, António Costa, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister of Japan, Shigeru Ishiba, met in Tokyo on 23 July 2025 for the 30th summit between the European Union and Japan. During the summit, the leaders adopted a joint statement. Joint statement   Visit the website

● European Council

23/07/2025 11:49 | Statements and remarks | Press statement by President António Costa following the 30th EU–Japan summit 2025   First of all, let me thank Prime Minister Ishiba for hosting us here in Tokyo for our 30th summit. It is always a pleasure to visit Japan. Yesterday, I was truly inspired by the spirit of the Osaka Expo—a place where innovation, culture, sustainability, and global cooperation meet. In many ways, it reflects the values that unite the EU and Japan. Japan is the EU’s closest partner in the Indo-Pacific. Our partnership with Japan is not just strategic—it is based on shared principles and a common vision. It is rooted in our respect for democracy, human rights, a rules-based international order and multilateralism. In today’s complex geopolitical environment, the EU–Japan partnership stands as a model of principled, reliable cooperation.  Today’s summit is about strengthening that partnership with concrete actions—especially in three key areas: security and defence, multilateralism, and in trade and economic security. Security and defence are now at the core of the EU’s global engagement. Europe’s security is interlinked to the security in the Indo-Pacific.  Japan was the first country in the region to conclude a Strategic and Defence Partnership with the EU—and we are determined to deepen it. I welcome the launch of negotiations on a Security of Information Agreement, and today we also committed to closer cooperation in maritime security, cyber, space, hybrid threats, non-proliferation, and defence industry. We reaffirm our shared commitment to multilateralism. The UN and the UN Charter—marking their 80th anniversary—remain essential pillars of peace and global cooperation. This includes standing up for sovereignty and territorial integrity— in Ukraine, in the Middle East, here in the Indo-Pacific and everywhere in the world. It also includes tackling global challenges like climate change. We will work together to deliver a successful and ambitious outcome at the upcoming COP30. Lastly, on the economic front, our Economic Partnership Agreement is the largest ever concluded by the EU. It has delivered real benefits for companies and consumers on both sides. Our bilateral trade flows have grown by 20% since it has been implemented.  We are united in defending a predictable, rules-based economic order, with the WTO at its core. And in a world of growing uncertainty, we are also stepping up joint efforts to boost economic security and resilience. The new Competitiveness Alliance we launch today is an important step forward. And President von der Leyen will elaborate on this point further. Thank you.   Visit the website

● European Council

23/07/2025 10:48 | Statements and remarks | Opening remarks by President António Costa at the EU-Japan summit in Tokyo, Japan   Prime Minister, I would first like to thank you for the warm welcome and for hosting the 30th EU-Japan Summit. It is a great pleasure to meet you again, this time in Tokyo, after the G7 Summit in Kananaskis (Canada). Allow me also to congratulate Japan on the successful organisation of the Osaka Kansai Expo 2025. Japan is our closest partner in the Indo-Pacific. I would like to underline the strength of the EU-Japan partnership, built on shared values and common interests. More than ever, the world needs our closer partnership. I would also like to highlight the depth of our bilateral cooperation and our close coordination in the G7 and numerous multilateral fora. The EU-Japan partnership stands as a stable model of cooperation promoting peace, democracy, and a rules-based international order and multilateralism. Our Security and Defence Partnership is a key pillar of our relationship. This partnership is all the more valuable in an increasingly unstable and unpredictable world. We are working together to increase our prosperity through trade and innovation and to strengthen economic security and supply chain resilience. The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement is a great success. The trade flows have increased by 20 percent since its implementation. And now our new Competitiveness Alliance will strengthen our economic ties even further.   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   Career opportunities at the General Secretariat, 22/07/2025   Director (AD14) for Council’s Directorate ORG.3 "Buildings and Logistics" Reference: CONS/AD/200/25 The deadline for applications: 5 September 2025, at 12:00-noon (Brussels time)   Visit the website