V4+ Japan meeting

After a two-year pause, Slovakia has revived the dialogue between the foreign ministers of the V4—Poland, Slovakia, Czechia, and Hungary—while expanding the V4+ cooperation framework. The meeting was held in Tomášov near Bratislava and featured a special guest, Japan’s head of diplomacy Toshimitsu Motegi.

 The Visegrad Group is back. … Thus, we can trust each other again and settle various issues again. … Together we matter more

underlined Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski.

The talks focused on the development of Japan’s cooperation with Central Europe and the EU, as well as on global security challenges faced by NATO’s eastern flank and the Indo-Pacific region.

 The ministers’ discussion confirmed that the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific regions have become increasingly related in the context of security. Therefore, enhancing cooperation between Japan and NATO and Japan’s contribution to assistance programmes for Ukraine are of paramount importance.

 Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski emphasised that Poland attaches great importance to the stability and security of the Indo-Pacific region, and that cooperation between Europe and the countries of that region on broadly defined security issues is of fundamental importance.

 Central Europe can achieve more in cooperation with Japan. Economic cooperation is of particular importance to us, as is scientific cooperation, including in the field of cutting-edge technologies

emphasised Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski following the meetings.

Besides that, the full implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement and the EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement remains of high priority for Poland.

The V4+Japan dialogue strengthens Poland’s relations with Japan

On the sidelines of the V4+ consultations, Minister Sikorski met with Japan’s top diplomat, Toshimitsu Motegi. The main topics of discussion included, among others, the launch of a security and defence dialogue under the “Quadriga” format, as well as cooperation between defence industries and in the field of dual-use technologies. The head of Polish diplomacy also sought Japan’s support for Poland’s further and permanent participation in the work of the G20.

The growing momentum in Polish–Japanese cooperation is a result of the visit to Japan by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Donald Tusk (14–15 April 2026), and the elevation of bilateral relations to the rank of a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Japan is one of the largest investors in Poland from outside the European Union. Poland is becoming an increasingly important economic and investment partner for Japan, not only because of the growing trade and direct investment, but also because of the role Poland plays in Central and Eastern Europe and within the EU.

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The Visegrad Group (V4) is an informal regional format of cooperation between the four Central European countries: Poland, the Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary, which are not only linked by neighbourhood and similar geopolitical situation but above all by common history, traditions, culture, and values.