Latin America and the Caribbean

On Wednesday, September 26, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, during his visit to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly session, held a meeting for approximately 25 minutes with ministers and other participants from the Pacific Alliance, a regional group consisting of four Latin American countries (Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru). An overview of the meeting is as follows.

1. Minister Kono stated that both Japan and the Pacific Alliance have developed on the basis of fundamental values, including democracy, rule of law, human rights, and market economy, and have benefited the most from a free and open maritime order in the Pacific. Minister Kono stated that Japan was committed to reinforce policy dialogue at any and all levels with the Pacific Alliance in order to materialize common strategic interests, such as promotion of free trade, including the early entry into force of the TPP11 Agreement, and resolving regional and global issues, including North Korean issues.
2. The Pacific Alliance side stated that its cooperation with Japan, a strategic partner sharing common values, has important significance for enhancing the relationship between the Pacific Alliance and the Asia-Pacific in accordance with the "Strategic Vision 2030." It stated that amidst rising protectionism concerns, the Pacific Alliance would work with Japan to achieve the early entry into force of the TPP11 Agreement and strengthen the multilateral trade system as well as protect multilateralism. Furthermore, in order to become a more global player, the Pacific Alliance pledged to cooperate with Japan for resolving the common issues facing the international community.
3. Minister Kono and the Pacific Alliance ministers and others shared the view that it was important to establish mechanisms for following up on this ministerial meeting, and expected that this meeting would result in concrete cooperation between Japan and the Pacific Alliance.