Japan-Ecuador Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (Overview)

September 6, 2010
Japanese

Japan-Ecuador Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (Photo)

Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs, met with Mr. Ricardo Armando Patiño Aroca, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Integration of the Republic of Ecuador on September 6 (Mon) from 10:00 to 10:50 a.m. at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Minister Patiño is accompanying Mr. Rafael Vicente Correa Delgado, Constitutional President of the Republic of Ecuador, who is currently visiting Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

At the start of the meeting, Minister Okada expressed his expectation that President Correa’s visit to Japan would encourage the further development of Japan-Ecuador relations. Minister Patiño responded by saying that many ministers were accompanying the President on his visit, a fact that demonstrates Ecuador’s belief in the importance of Asia. Minister Patiño also stated that he was pleased to mention that Ecuador had adopted the digital terrestrial television standard developed in Japan and Brazil.
Minister Okada expressed his hope that Japanese companies would develop a greater interest in Ecuador through an investment seminar and business negotiation event to be hosted by Ecuador during the visit. In relation to this, Minister Okada pointed out the importance of the development of investment environment on the part of Ecuador. In response, Minister Patiño stated that the interests of foreign companies would be protected appropriately under a new legal system based on Ecuador’s new Constitution, emphasizing that the Correa Administration is the first stable government in years in Ecuador.
Concerning climate change, Minister Okada stressed the importance of building a fair and effective international framework that features the participation of major emitting countries, including the United States and China. Minister Patiño expressed his admiration for Japan’s efforts, as well as his intention to hold dialogues on the issue on various occasions. He stressed that Japan and Ecuador have a number of points in common.
In addition, Minister Okada noted the importance of United Nations Security Council reform. Minister Patiño also stressed the importance of cooperating in a variety of areas such as United Nations reforms, including the reform of the Security Council, as well as disarmament and cultural exchange.

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