Second Japan-CARICOM Ministerial-Level Conference: Bilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meetings (Morning, September 1)

September 1, 2010
Japanese

In the morning of September 1 (Wed), Mr. Katsuya Okada held talks separately with the Hon. Charles Peter David, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Grenada, the Hon. Rufus George Bousquet, Minister for External Affairs, International Trade and Investment of Saint Lucia, the Hon. Sir Louis Hilton Straker, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Hon. Maxine Pamela McClean, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados, who are visiting Japan to attend the second Japan-CARICOM Ministerial-Level Conference. The overview of the talks is as follows.

The Hon. Charles Peter David, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Grenada

(1) Minister Okada expressed his intention to further strengthen the cooperative relationship with Grenada, which chairs the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), toward the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. In response, Minister David expressed his appreciation for Japan’s efforts in addressing the issue of climate change, as well as his expectation that consideration would be given to small island states which are vulnerable to climate change.

(2) With regard to Japan’s economic cooperation to Grenada, Minister Okada explained specific initiatives, noting the emphasis on the areas of fisheries, agriculture, environment, and disaster prevention. Minister David responded by expressing his gratitude for Japan’s assistance, and conveyed his hope that such assistance would be continued. The two ministers also exchanged views on various issues of the international community including the United Nations Security Council reform and climate change.
The Hon. Rufus George Bousquet, Minister for External Affairs, International Trade and Investment of Saint Lucia

(1) Minister Okada said that Japan intends to activate its bilateral relationship with Saint Lucia, an important partner in the international community, by taking advantage of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. He further thanked Saint Lucia for co-tabling the Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea during the United Nations General Assembly last year, and requested its continued support. Minister Bousquet responded by expressing his intention to further strengthen the favorable bilateral relationship, and said that Saint Lucia would continue working with Japan in the international arena, which would benefit both countries.

(2) Minister Okada conveyed his expectation that Japan’s economic cooperation to Saint Lucia, including the activities of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV), would contribute to the country’s development. Minister Bousquet responded by expressing his gratitude for Japan’s assistance. The two ministers also exchanged views on various issues of the international community such as the United Nations Security Council reform.
The Hon. Sir Louis Hilton Straker, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

(1) Minister Okada noted that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was an important partner for Japan, and expressed his gratitude for its cooperation up until then. In response, Minister Straker said that Japan was an important partner and that he would like to strengthen the cooperative relationship between the two countries.

(2) Minister Okada conveyed his expectation that Japan’s economic cooperation, including the activities of the JOCV, which are focused in the areas of fisheries, environment, and disaster prevention would contribute to the further development of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Minister Straker responded by noting that Japan’s assistance had played an important role in the country’s development, and requested continued assistance, mainly in the areas of poverty reduction and education. The two ministers also exchanged views on various issues of the international community such as the United Nations Security Council reform.
The Hon. Maxine Pamela McClean, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados

(1) Minister Okada said that Japan placed emphasis on its relations with Barbados, and considered it important to increase opportunities for dialogue in order to gather the opinions of the CARICOM states including Barbados. Minister McClean responded by saying that it was important that Japan increased its presence in the Caribbean region, in light of the important position Japan held in the international community.

(2) Minister Okada said that Japan would assist the development of Barbados by newly extending grant assistance for grassroots human security projects to the country. Minister McClean responded by expressing her gratitude for Japan’s consideration to the country, and said that she was looking forward to considering specific projects including countermeasures for climate change. The two ministers also exchanged views on various issues of the international community including the United Nations Security Council reform and climate change.

(END)

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