Japan-Colombia Foreign Ministers' Meeting

February 24, 2012
Japanese

(Photo)Japan-Colombia Foreign Ministers' Meeting-2

On Friday, February 24, Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba held a meeting with H.E. Ms. María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia, who was visiting Japan as a distinguished guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the Iikura Guest House for about 30 minutes from 6:30 p.m., followed by a dinner. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

Foreign Minister Gemba welcomed the second visit to Japan by Foreign Minister Holguín following her first visit in September 2011, commenting that he remembered well that the first meeting foreign ministers' meeting he had was with Foreign Minister Holguín. Foreign Minister Holguín expressed her gratitude for the invitation to Japan this time, and stated that her second visit to Japan in a short period of time indeed represents the importance that Colombia attaches to Japan. Foreign Minister Holguín also stated that she had signed the get-well book for His Majesty the Emperor of Japan at the Imperial Palace on Thursday, February 23, and that she was praying for the early recovery of His Majesty. Foreign Minister Holguín noted that on next month, it would have been one-year since the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred, and that during this time the hearts of the people of Colombia have always been with the victims of the earthquake, and they are genuinely glad to see the quick reconstruction achieved by Japan.
Foreign Minister Gemba said that he was aware that the second meeting of the Joint Study for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Japan and the Republic of Colombia had been held in a successful manner, and that the Japanese side would like to make the utmost effort for the early completion of the Joint Study. In response, Foreign Minister Holguín said that she expected the two countries to be able to start negotiations for the Japan-Colombia EPA at an early date. Foreign Minister Gemba also explained that the Japan-Colombia Investment Agreement that was signed in September 2011 is scheduled to be submitted to the current ordinary Diet session, and Foreign Minister Holguín stated that Colombia would also make efforts so that the Agreement would be approved at the session of the Congress to be commenced in March.
Foreign Minister Holguín stated that Colombia has always been maintaining close dialogue with Japan with regard to the regulation of small arms, and would like to continue its cooperation with Japan at the United Nations and other fora, and Foreign Minister Gemba stated that Japan would like to work on this issue in coordination with Colombia.
Foreign Minister Gemba expressed his praise for the leadership taken by Colombia such as proposing sustainable development goals (SDGs), and stated that Japan would like to cooperate closely with Colombia in the discussions regarding post-Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In response, Foreign Minister Holguín stated that Colombia would like to cooperate with Japan for the successful holding of Rio+20 as well.
Foreign Minister Gemba expressed his gratitude for Colombia's support with regard to the resolution on the situation of human rights in North Korea, and Foreign Minister Holguín responded that Colombia would like to continue its support for this matter.
Furthermore, both foreign ministers exchanged opinions on issues such as the reform of the United Nations and cooperation at international organizations, the Middle East situation including Syria and Iran, the situation in Latin America and the Caribbean, climate change, renewable energy, and disaster prevention conference.

(*The foregoing is a provisional translation. The date indicated above denotes the date of issue of the original press release in Japanese.)

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