Press Releases
Japan-Panama Foreign Ministers' Meeting
September 26, 2022
On September 26, commencing at 11:05 a.m., for approximately 15 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Ms. Erika MOUYNES, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama, who is visiting Japan to attend the State Funeral for former Prime Minister Abe. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi expressed his gratitude for the visit of Minister Mouynes to attend the State Funeral, and stated that he would like to deepen discussions on bilateral relations and global challenges building on the diplomatic legacy inherited from former Prime Minister Abe, touching upon the friendly bilateral relations between Japan and Panama. In response, Minister Mouynes expressed her deep condolences on the passing of former Prime Minister Abe, stating that this visit to Japan was in conformity with the instructions of President Cortizo, and expressed her gratitude for the generous support by former Prime Minister Abe to Panama. Minister Mouynes also reiterated her intention to continue to strengthen Japan-Panama relations.
- Minister Hayashi noted that Japan is a major user of the Panama Canal, a key junction of international maritime transportation, and requested continuance of close consultation on the importance of safe and stable operations of the Panama Canal and in securing a favorable environment for its use.
- In addition, Minister Hayashi expressed his desire to contribute to Panama's sustainable growth and to enhance economic ties, referring to the yen loan for the Panama Metropolitan Area Urban Transportation Line-3 Development Project, as well as the first Japan-Panama Dialogue with Participation of the Private Sector held in April this year as a follow-up to the meeting between then Foreign Minister Motegi and Foreign Minister Mouynes last July. In response Foreign Minister Mouynes expressed her gratitude for Japan's economic cooperation including measures in response to COVID-19 and stated that she would like to continue to work together to strengthen economic relations along with people-to-people exchanges.
- The two ministers also discussed initiatives in the international arena as well as regional situations. Minister Hayashi stated that Russia's aggression against Ukraine is an act that undermines the very foundation of the international order, by thus, the international community must unite to response, and that he hopes to work with Panama, who shares fundamental values. In response, Foreign Minister Mouynes stated that Panama shares Japan's interest and concern and that Panama, a country which emphasizes multilateralism, would like to strengthen communication with Japan as well as cooperation in the international arena, including UN Security Council reform. Minister Mouynes also explained about the Our Ocean Conference which will be hosted by Panama next year.