Press Releases
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Abe Meets with the Minister for Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of the Commonwealth of Dominica
On March 24, commencing at 2:35 p.m. for approximately 35 minutes, Dr. Toshiko Abe, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with Sen. the Hon. Francine Baron, Minister for Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of the Commonwealth of Dominica, who is visiting Japan to attend the 5th World Assembly for Women (WAW!/W20). The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. State Minister Abe welcomed the visit to Japan by Minister Baron, and stated that she would like to further strengthen bilateral relations with the Commonwealth of Dominica, an important partner sharing fundamental values, and Japan-CARICOM relations. In addition, she stated that Japan would support initiatives toward reconstruction and enhancing disaster resistance for the people and the government of Dominica, which received massive damage from Hurricane Maria in 2017, and would continue necessary support toward overcoming vulnerabilities particular to small island countries.
2. In response, Minister Baron stated that she would like to further strengthen friendly cooperative relations with Japan, and expressed gratitude for Japan’s support after the Hurricane Maria in 2017. She also requested Japan to understand the challenges facing small island countries including Dominica such as access to concessional loan in order to recover from disasters and necessity to build resilience.
3. Both Ministers exchanged views regarding various issues in the international arena，such as UN Security Council reform, and confirmed deepening cooperative relations.
【Reference】 The Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
(1) CARICOM is established in 1973 based on the Treaty of Chagaramas. The Secretariat is located in Guyana.
(2) CARICOM is a regional organization with the objectives of advancing regional economic integration, enhancing coordination of foreign policies, and encouraging cooperation in areas such as health and medical care and education and others.
(3) Member states are the following 14 countries and 1 region:
Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Christopher and Nevis,
Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Montserrat (British overseas territory)