Suga, Draghi Hold Telephone Talks
Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and his Italian counterpart Mario Draghi have agreed to cooperate closely on a range of global issues including the coronavirus pandemic and climate change.
The pair spoke via telephone on Friday at the request of Japan. Suga started by congratulating Draghi on his inauguration last month.
Suga said Draghi agreed with the need to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific through mutual efforts.
The Japanese leader also expressed serious concern about China's unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China seas, including a new law that allows the country's coast guard vessels to use weapons in waters Beijing deems to be under its jurisdiction.
The two prime ministers shared serious concerns about the situation in Hong Kong and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
They also agreed to cooperate on issues related to North Korea, including the country's abductions of foreign nationals.
Rome will host the G20 summit in October.