Japan-Colombia Relations
Japan-Colombia Summit Meeting
September 19, 2016
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
On September 20, commencing at 2:07 a.m. (September 19, 1:07 p.m. local time) for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister, held a Japan-Colombia Summit Meeting with H.E. Mr. Juan Manuel Santos, President of the Republic of Colombia, at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters. The overview is as follows.
1 Opening
(1) Prime Minister Abe expressed his congratulations and respect for the final agreement reached in the peace negotiations with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) that President Santos initiated.
(2) President Santos explained that the Colombia Peace Agreement will bring changes and many opportunities not only to Colombia but also to Latin America overall, and he expressed gratitude for Japan's support for the consolidation of peace, including by providing landmine removal equipment.
(2) President Santos explained that the Colombia Peace Agreement will bring changes and many opportunities not only to Colombia but also to Latin America overall, and he expressed gratitude for Japan's support for the consolidation of peace, including by providing landmine removal equipment.
2 Bilateral relations
In light of this historical peace agreement, the two leaders agreed to cooperate more closely in various fields for the purpose of Colombia's new nation building. Furthermore, based on Japanese companies' growing interest in Colombia, the two leaders expressed expectation over the further deepening of the bilateral economic relationship.
The two leaders also shared the view that the negotiations for the Japan-Colombia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which will contribute to the consolidation of peace and nation building in Colombia, are at the final stage.
The two leaders also shared the view that the negotiations for the Japan-Colombia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which will contribute to the consolidation of peace and nation building in Colombia, are at the final stage.
3 Cooperation in the international arena
The two leaders exchanged views on topics such as the North Korea situation, along with confirming cooperation on regional peace and security.