Visit to Fiji by Mr. Joe NAKANO, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs

August 30, 2012
Japanese

Courtesy visit to Mr. Felipe Bole,
Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs
and International Cooperation
Courtesy visit to
H.E. Mr. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau,
President of the Republic of Fiji
Courtesy visit to
Mr. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum,
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice

Vice-Minister Nakano visiting
a temporary registration desk for electors
(Suva city)
Vice-Minister Nakano visiting
the Pharmaceutical Services Center of Fiji
(Suva city)
Vice-Minister Nakano visiting
the Information and Telecommunication
Technology Center University of
South Pacific (Suva city)

On Thursday, 30 August, Mr. Joe NAKANO, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs paid courtesy calls on H.E. Mr. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, President of the Republic of Fiji, Mr. Felipe Bole, Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation as well as Mr. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, in order to exchange views regarding bilateral and other issues.
During the discussions, the Fiji side made concrete explanations to Vice-Minister Nakano regarding the drafting process of the constitution and the electronic voter registration for the general elections of Fiji to be scheduled in 2014. The Fiji side also expressed their expectation for a support from Japan for such process.
Vice-Minister Nakano replied that Japan welcomed the steady progress on the process of democratisation of Fiji. He also wished to promote high-level visits between Japan and Fiji and to strengthen close dialogue thereby enhancing future-oriented and cooperative relationship between the two countries.
Furthermore, Vice-Minister Nakano delivered to Minister Bole a personal letter from Prime Minister Yoshihiko NODA addressed to Prime Minister Josaia Vorege Bainimarama. The letter states that Japan welcomes further progress of the democracy in Fiji and wishes to strengthen close dialogue and cooperation to build future-oriented relationship with Fiji.
Vice-Minister Nakano also visited the Information and Communication Technology Centre at the University of South Pacific (USP) as well as the new Pharmaceutical Center in Fiji, projects supported by the Government of Japan through economic cooperation and was briefed by the staff in charge of the projects. In addition, he visited a site where the electronic voter registration is ongoing in Suva for the general elections in 2014. Vice-Minister Nakano is scheduled to depart Fiji on Friday, 31 August and will attend the Post-Forum Dialogue Partners' Meeting (the Pacific Islands Forum, PIF) which will be held in the Cook Islands from the same day.

(*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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