Japan-Kiribati Relations
Japan-Kiribati Summit Meeting
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On May 22, commencing at 3:17 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a summit meeting with H. E. Anote Tong, President of the Republic of Kiribati, who is visiting Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, to attend the 7th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM7),. The outline of the meeting is as follows.
1. Prime Minister Abe welcomed President Tong’s visit to Japan following his recent attendance at the third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai this March. Prime Minister Abe renewed his gratitude for the support extended by Kiribati at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Prime Minister Abe also stated that he would like to work together with President Tong for the success of PALM7, this time being held in a disaster-affected area, and to build a new partnership between Japan and the Pacific Island countries.
2. In response, President Tong stated that he was delighted to meet with Prime Minister Abe again and appreciated Japan’s friendship demonstrated at the time of the damages caused by Cyclone Pam. President Tong also expressed his appreciation for the great contribution made by Japan including through its ODA and the PEC Fund, while also sharing his will to further cooperate with Japan in the fields of fishery and climate change.
3. Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan would consider providing support to rehabilitation of the Causeway, a highway interlinking the islands of Kiribati, to which President Tong expressed his gratitude.
4. Prime Minister Abe requested cooperation on Japan’s proposal to the United Nations regarding the World Tsunami Day, to which President Tong expressed his support. The two leaders also exchanged views on issues and cooperation in the international community including climate change, fishery and the UN Security Council reform.