Japan-Nauru Relations
Meeting between Foreign Minister Kamikawa and Hon. Russ Kun, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Nauru
On February 12, commencing at 11:00 a.m. local time (8:00 a.m. February 12 JST) for approximately 15 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who was visiting Suva, the Republic of Fiji, to attend the PALM 5th Ministerial Interim Meeting, held a meeting with Hon. Russ KUN, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Nauru. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
At the outset, Minister Kamikawa stated she was pleased to meet with Deputy Foreign Minister Kun, a former President who emphasized the importance of "kizuna" between Japan and Nauru and expressed that she would like to further strengthen the "kizuna" between the two countries which are longtime friends linked by the Pacific Ocean. In response, Deputy Foreign Minister Kun stated that he agreed with her idea and expressed his intention to continue to be a close friend of Japan.
Minister Kamikawa stated Japan would continue to strongly support the sustainable and resilient development of Nauru and the entire region, and that Japan was steadily implementing the East Micronesia Cable Project signed last June. In response, Deputy Foreign Minister Kun expressed his gratitude to the Government and people of Japan for its cooperation over the years.
Regarding the discharge of the ALPS treated water into the sea, Minister Kamikawa, referring to her visit to Fukushima last December where she confirmed the safety of discharge by herself, expressed her intention to keep providing explanation in a highly transparent manner by working with IAEA In response, Deputy Foreign Minister Kun expressed his appreciation for Japan’s continuous and transparent explanation.
Minister Kamikawa explained that as the world faces a historic turning point, it is critical to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law and ensure the world where the human dignity is protected. Minister Kamikawa also stated that taking into account the situational changes in the Pacific region, it is important to strengthen the relations with Pacific Islands countries by meeting the needs of each country. The two sides held a candid exchange of views on regional situation.
The two sides concurred to work even more closely toward the PALM 10 to be held this year.