Visit to Japan of His Excellency Mr. Teburoro Tito, Chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)
(Outline and Evaluation)
23 February 2001
1. Outline and Evaluation
(1) From 17 to 22 February, His Excellency Mr. Teburoro Tito, Chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and President of the Republic of Kiribati, visited Japan as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
(2) During his stay, President Tito had an Audience with His Majesty The Emperor of Japan, and had talks with Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Yoshio Yatsu, Minister of Environment Yoriko Kawaguchi and former State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Katsuhito Asano, who participated in the 12th Post Forum Dialogue Partners Meeting with the PIF, which took place in October 2000 in Kiribati. In addition, President Tito managed an energetic schedule, which included interviews with the press, and visiting the cities of Shimizu and Hiroshima.
(3) This visit proved to be a significant one through which the importance of promoting Japan-PIF and Japan-Kiribati friendship and cooperation was confirmed at a high level.
2. Highlights of the Leaders' Meeting
(1) Japan-PIF Relations
1) Regular Holding of Japan-Pacific Islands Forum Summit Meetings
Prime Minister Mori commented that he would like to hold Japan-Pacific Islands Forum Summit Meetings every two or three years. PIF Chairman Tito remarked that he highly valued Prime Minister Mori's comments.
2) Fishery Relations
Prime Minister conveyed Japan's concerns regarding whaling issues and the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific. PIF Chairman Tito stated that he would like to take some time to consider whether he would be able to dispel the concerns of both parties regarding the Convention.
3) United Nations Security Council Reforms
PIF Chairman Tito stated that he would support United Nations reforms with Japan's permanent membership of the Security Council.
(2) Japan-Republic of Kiribati Bilateral Relations
1) Dispatch of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers
Both parties agreed to the swift formulation of a general agreement on the dispatch of Japan overseas cooperation volunteers.
2) Improvement of the Tarawa Atoll Electric Power Supply Facilities
Prime Minister Mori announced that a design team was being dispatched toward implementation of the improvements this year.
3. Other Talks and Local Visits
(1) During his stay, President Tito had an exchange of opinions with relevant parties from fishery-related groups, the National Space Development Agency of Japan, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and other organizations. President Tito had informal discussions with many figures from the world of politics, finance, government and academia at the reception hosted by Honorary Consul-General of the Republic of Kiribati Tokugoro Kuribayashi. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Yatsu, former State Secretary Asano and Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Yoshio Mochizuki attended the reception.
(2) In Shimizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, President Tito visited a joint Japan-Kiribati fishing company accompanied by Parliamentary Secretary Mochizuki. Later on, President Tito was presented with a football from Parliamentary Secretary Mochizuki.
(3) In Hiroshima, President Tito attended a dinner hosted by the Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture and visited the monument at Hiroshima Peace Park among other places.
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