Latin America and the Caribbean
Prime Minister Abe Meets with the Top Leaders of Nine CARICOM Countries
July 29, 2014
On Monday, July 28, Mr. Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan, who was paying a visit to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, held individual meetings with the top leaders of nine member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). (Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe received courtesy calls from Ministers of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and Belize.) At the meetings, Prime Minister Abe discussed support for overcoming the vulnerabilities particular to small island states” the Project for Japan-Caribbean Climate Change Partnership that was signed on that same day, and cooperation at forums for international discussions. Prime Minister Abe and the leaders of each of the countries agreed to take the opportunity of the Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year 2014 to strengthen bilateral relations.
(Prime Minister Abe held meetings with 9 CARICOM member states’ leaders;
- The Rt. Hon. Freundel STUART, Prime Minister of Barbados
- The Hon. Roosevelt SKERRIT, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica
- Dr. the Right Hon. Keith MITCHELL, Prime Minister of Grenada
- H.E. Donald RAMOTAR，President of the Republic of Guyana
- H.E. Mr. Michel Joseph MARTELLY, President of the Republic of Haiti
- The Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Llewellyn DOUGLAS, Prime Minister of Saint Christopher and Nevis
- The Hon. Dr. Kenny Davis ANTHONY, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia
- Dr. the Hon. Ralph E. GONSALVES, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- H.E. Robert A. L. AMEERALI, Vice-President of the Republic of Suriname
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Shinsuke Sugiyama held meetings with The Hon. Frederick A MITCHELL, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and The Hon. Wilfred ELRINGTON, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belize.)
The leaders of each country highly praised the first summit meeting with Japan, and expressed a strong desire to move ahead with further enhancing dialogues and deepening people-to-people exchanges at a variety of levels. The other key points that were made at the meetings are as follows.
Barbados (The Rt. Hon. Freundel STUART, Prime Minister of Barbados)
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
The two leaders welcomed the signing of Japan’s first grant aid project for Barbados this year, and the fact that photovoltaic panels will be installed at elementary schools. Prime Minister Stuart once again expressed his appreciation regarding the fact that Japan will examine assistance that not only takes into consideration income standards, but also the vulnerabilities particular to small island stats.
Commonwealth of Dominica (The Hon. Roosevelt SKERRIT, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica)
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
The two leaders welcomed the second meeting between the two since 2007. Prime Minister Abe referred to the signing of a project related to the provision of equipment for reconstruction from disasters and disaster risk reduction in June, and conveyed that Japan is currently carrying out surveys with a view to quickly implementing an equipment maintenance project in the field of fisheries. Prime Minister Skerrit stated that Commonwealth of Dominica intends to collaborate with Japan on the sustainable use of living marine resources.
Grenada (Dr. the Right Hon. Keith MITCHELL, Prime Minister of Grenada)
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan has decided to implement an equipment maintenance project in the field of fisheries. Prime Minister Mitchell conveyed that Grenada is hoping for support based on the utilization of Japanese technologies in renewable energy fields such as geothermal power and photovoltaic power.
Republic of Guyana (H.E. Donald RAMOTAR，President of the Republic of Guyana)
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
The two leaders welcomed an assistance project by Japan for reservoir restoration in Guyana that is scheduled to start next month. President Ramotar stated that Guyana hopes that Japan will act as a mouthpiece for CARICOM at G8 and G20 meetings regarding the vulnerabilities particular to small island states, and expressed that Guyana also hopes that Japan provides support utilizing high levels of technology, particularly in such areas as energy.
Republic of Haiti (H.E. Mr. Michel Joseph MARTELLY, President of the Republic of Haiti)
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan’s support for Haiti’s earthquake reconstruction has surpassed a total of 190 million dollars, including the projects that were signed the other day. The two leaders agreed on the importance of steady implementation of its next elections in Haiti. President Martelly expressed his appreciation for the extensive support that Japan has provided to his country, and gave a detailed explanation concerning the current status of the economy and society in Haiti.
Saint Christopher and Nevis (The Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Llewellyn DOUGLAS, Prime Minister of Saint Christopher and Nevis)
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan is currently carrying out surveys with a view to quickly implementing an equipment maintenance project in the field of fisheries. Prime Minister Douglas expressed his appreciation for Japan’s support in the area of human resource development, and expressed interest in receiving assistance from Japan in the field of renewable energies such as geothermal power.
Saint Lucia (The Hon. Dr. Kenny Davis ANTHONY, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia)
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
In regard to the damage that occurred from the torrential rain in Saint Lucia at the end of last year, Prime Minister Abe referred to the signing of a project related to the provision of equipment for disaster reconstruction and disaster risk reduction, and conveyed that Japan had decided to implement an equipment maintenance project in the field of fisheries. Prime Minister Anthony expressed his appreciation for Japan’s decision and for Japan’s consideration with regard to the vulnerabilities particular to small island states, and stated that as the presidency holder of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), Saint Lucia would cooperate with Japan on the sustainable use of living marine resources.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Dr. the Hon. Ralph E. GONSALVES, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
In regard to the damage caused by the torrential rain in Saint Vincent at the end of last year, Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan had decided to carry out equipment maintenance in the field of fisheries and provide equipment for reconstruction and disaster risk reduction. Prime Minister Gonsalves expressed his appreciation for Japan’s support in the field of fisheries, and stated that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines intends to further effectively utilize this support. Prime Minister Gonsalves added that he hopes to strengthen relations not only between Japan and CARICOM but also between Japan and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
Republic of Suriname (H.E. Robert A. L. AMEERALI, Vice-President of the Republic of Suriname)
Prime Minister Abe stated that he welcomed the the presentation of credentials this month by the first Ambassador of the Republic of Suriname to Japan. Vice President Ameerali expressed his gratitude for Japan’s support in fields such as fisheries, and stated that Suriname would also like to receive assistance in fields such as medical care. The Vice President added that Japanese corporations are already engaging in drilling for oil in Suriname, and expressed hope that there will be a further expansion in investment and trade.
(Meetings with Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Sugiyama)
Commonwealth of the Bahamas (The Hon. Frederick A MITCHELL, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas)
Minister Mitchell stated that the Bahamas would like to take the opportunity of the Friendship Year to promote tourism going forward, and the two ministers agreed to cooperate in promoting tourism to both of their countries. The two ministers also agreed to cooperate with a view to enhancing safety and environmental protection in the field of maritime affairs.
Belize (The Hon. Wilfred ELRINGTON, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belize)
Deputy Foreign Minister Sugiyama stated that handing over ceremonies are scheduled with regard to grant aid projects in September. Minister Elrington stated that Belize is hoping that Japan will strengthen its assistance in the areas of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and Senior Volunteers.