Japan-Palau Relations
Japan-Palau Summit Meeting
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On May 22, commencing at 4:55 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a summit meeting with H. E. Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, 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 stated that he would like to cooperate with President Remengesau, the co-chair of PALM7 to make the Meeting a success, and to build a new partnership between Japan and the Pacific Island countries. Prime Minister Abe also expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by the people of the Republic of Palau upon the official visit to the country by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan last month, explaining how the people of Japan were moved by a message by President Remengesau that read “both our countries have a long history of friendship over the 70 years after World War II”. Prime Minister Abe also expressed his sincere gratitude for President Remengesau’s strong willingness to help recover the remains of Japanese war dead in Palau.
2. President Remengesau, expressing his determination to lead PALM 7 to a success with Prime Minister Abe, stated that it was very meaningful that Meeting would be held in Fukushima Prefecture this time, an area affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. President Remengesau also stated that the official visit by Their Majesties to Palau was a great honor for the Republic of Palau and its people, and the visit provided an opportunity to further deepen the friendship between the two countries.
3. Prime Minister Abe also stated that Japan would continue to provide robust support for Palau’s nation building including through a grant aid (approximately 1.8 billion yen) signed on May 20 to improve the water supply. President Remengesau in response expressed his appreciation for Japan’s support.
4. President Remengesau highly appreciated Japan’s contribution to the peace in the Pacific region, and stated that he would like to expand fishery cooperation with Japan. Prime Minister Abe requested cooperation on Japan’s proposal to the United Nations regarding the World Tsunami Day, to which President Remengesau expressed his support. The two leaders also exchanged views on issues and cooperation in the international community, including climate change and the UN Security Council reform.