Japan-Chile Relations

On November 18, commencing at 9:30 a.m. (8:30 the same day, Japan time) for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, who is visiting Port Moresby, in Papua New Guinea to attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, held a Summit Meeting with H.E. Dr. Sebasti?n Pi?era, President of the Republic of Chile. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

1. At the beginning, Prime Minister Abe congratulated President Pi?era on his inauguration as President in March 2018. Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan and Chile are "Strategic Partners" sharing fundamental values, and expressed his intention to deepen not only their bilateral relationship but also their cooperative relationship at the international field. Prime Minister Abe also stated that Japan would spare no effort to cooperate towards the success of APEC to be chaired by Chile next year. President Pi?era responded that Chile and Japan are vital partners which share values, such as promotion of free trade, human rights, and the rule of law, and which tackle common issues, and that he intends to further deepen their bilateral cooperation. President Pi?era also stated that, as a TPP11 member and an advocate of free trade, Chile attaches great importance to APEC, which it will chair next year, and hoped to work closely with Japan for its success.  
2. Prime Minister Abe stated that the TPP11 Agreement was to enter into force on December 30 and expected that Chile would complete its domestic procedures as soon as possible. President Pi?era explained Chile's domestic procedural process, and hoped that following the entry into force of the TPP11 Agreement, the two countries could continue to coordinate closely for the promotion of free trade.
3. The two leaders shared the view about further advancing their cooperation not only in areas of mutual interest to them, such as the science and technology and disaster management fields, but also in other wide-ranging areas. In addition, the leaders exchanged views regarding  regional affairs, including North Korean issues and Venezuela, and shared the view that the two countries would continue to work together closely on these matters.