Japan-Cuba Relations
Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida attends luncheon meeting hosted by Foreign Minister Rodríguez of Cuba
May 3, 2015
On May 2, during his visit to Cuba, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, attended a luncheon meeting hosted by H. E. Mr. Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez Parilla, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba. An overview of the luncheon meeting is as follows.
- Minister Rodríguez stated that Minister Kishida’s visit coincided with a boisterous moment in Cuba, and expressed his hope that on the next occasion Minister Kishida should visit other beautiful areas of the country outside of Havana as well. Minister Rodríguez also recalled fond memories of his visit to Japan, including how visiting Hiroshima when he was a United Nations ambassador has left a deep impression on him.
- Minister Kishida expressed how he is honoured that Foreign Minister Rodríguez has visited his hometown of Hiroshima. In response, Minister Rodríguez stated that he recalled receiving emotional phone call from Mr. Fidel Castro, then the President of the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba, in 2003 from Hiroshima, where he had laid a floral tribute to express his deep impression.
- Minister Kishida welcomed the improvements in the U.S.-Cuba relationship, and reiterated his hope for further progress in friendly relations between the two countries. In response, Minister Rodríguez indicated that there have been several positive steps towards restoring diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba, and that he will continue to hold talks with President Obama to this end. Foreign Minister Rodríguez also stated that the United States must lift its economic sanctions on Cuba in order to facilitate the normalization of bilateral relations.
- In addition to the above points, Minister Kishida and Minister Rodríguez exchanged views on a wide range of topics of regional and international interest.