Latin America and the Caribbean

(1) Prime Minister Abe stated that it was his honor to realize the first-ever visit to the Caribbean region by a Japanese Prime Minister on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Trinidad and Tobago and the Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year 2014. Prime Minister Abe also stated that the Training Squadron of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Forces called on a port of Trinidad and Tobago commemorating the 50th anniversary, and expressed his intention to deepen friendly relations through various exchanges. Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar welcomed the visit by Prime Minister Abe and Japanese business leaders. The two leaders shared views that they would further develop the bilateral relationship, marking the visit as a new page in the history of both countries.

(2) Prime Minister Abe expressed his recognition that taking into consideration the “vulnerability particular to small island states” that the CARICOM member states are faced with, assistance from a perspective other than those based on per-capita income would be important, and stated that the Government of Japan would first conduct field surveys for future cooperation. Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar highly appreciated Japan’s recognition and stated that she would fully discuss the issue in the Japan-CARICOM Summit Meeting scheduled for the next day.

(3) Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar appreciated the investment projects that Japanese enterprises were considering as important ones for Trinidad and Tobago and expressed her expectation toward further investment from Japanese enterprises. Moreover, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar expressed her interest in triangular cooperation that provides technical cooperation to CARICOM member states through Trinidad and Tobago.

(1) The two leaders shared views that Japan and CARICOM, which share fundamental values, are important partners for the realization of peace and prosperity in the international community based on rules.

(2) Moreover, Prime Minister Abe stated that he would continue and enhance high-level dialogues between Japan and CARICOM as he had mentioned the holding the 4th Japan-CARICOM Ministerial-Level Conference in Tokyo this coming autumn.

(1) The two leaders shared their views on the recognition that they would enhance their efforts to achieve specific progress in the United Nations Security Council reform toward the 70th anniversary of founding of the UN next year.

(2) Concerning climate change, Prime Minister Abe stated that he would closely cooperate with Trinidad and Tobago so that an agreement on a new international framework after 2020 would be achieved at the COP 21. Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar stated that since this is a higher-priority issue for the CARICOM member states, she would proactively join discussions.

(3) The two leaders shared views that they would cooperate to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, particularly on issues such as disaster risk reduction and formulation of the post-2015 development agenda.