日本・イスラエル外相が会談

　茂木敏充外相は１８日（日本時間１９日）、イスラエルのテルアビブでラピド外相と会談した。両外相の会談はイスラエル新政権発足後初めて。茂木氏は同国とパレスチナが共存する「２国家解決」を支持する立場から、当事者間の信頼回復に資する具体的措置を要請。ラピド氏は「状況の改善に向けて日本と緊密に連携していきたい」と応じた。
　茂木氏は、イランやアフガニスタンなどの中東情勢に関し「イスラエルとアラブ諸国との関係発展の動きが、地域の緊張緩和や安定化につながることを期待する」と語った。（2021/08/19-10:16）

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, on a tour of the Middle East, met with his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid in Tel Aviv on Wednesday.
   It was the first time for the two ministers to hold talks since Israel's new government, led by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, was sworn in in mid-June.
   Stressing Japan's support for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestinians, Motegi called on Israel to take "concrete measures" in order to restore confidence among the parties concerned. Lapid replied that Israel hopes to work closely with Japan to improve the situation in the region.
   Motegi and Lapid exchanged opinions on issues in Iran and Afghanistan, and the Japanese minister expressed hopes that moves to develop relations between Israel and Arab states "would be a step toward easing tensions and stabilization of the region."
   Motegi also met with Bennett earlier Wednesday. They confirmed the Japanese and Israeli governments' intention to boost cooperation and dialogue for the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment.