EU and Japan "Support Complete Denuclearization of North Korea and Peace in the Taiwan Strait"

In January, the Taiwanese Navy Special Forces conducted a defense training simulating an infiltration in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan. [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The heads of major European institutions and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga emphasized the complete denuclearization of North Korea and peace in cross-strait relations.

Charles Michel, President of the European Council, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Prime Minister Suga held a virtual meeting on the 27th (local time) and, in a joint statement, reaffirmed their unwavering support for nuclear non-proliferation efforts, including achieving the complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement (CVID) of North Korea's nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and ballistic missile programs of all ranges.

They also expressed their continued cooperation toward the immediate resolution of North Korea's abduction issue while supporting diplomatic engagement for peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.

Furthermore, they stated, "We emphasize the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," and advocated for the peaceful resolution of the China-Taiwan cross-strait issue.

This is the first time that the Taiwan issue has been explicitly mentioned in a joint document released after the Japan-EU summit. Previously, the importance of "peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait" was included in the joint statements issued after the US-Japan summit last month and the recent G7 Foreign and Development Ministers' meeting earlier this month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.