Fiji, Japan Reaffirm Stronger Relations
Both countries look to deepen co-operation in social, economic and political areas of development.
Co-operation between Fiji and Japan are expected to get stronger and healthier following talks between the two countries in Tokyo, Japan, recently. Last week, the Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister and Acting Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Yogesh Karan, met Norihiro Nakayama, the Japanese Parliamentary ViceMinister for Foreign Affairs.
The meeting took place along the margins of the Senior Officials’ Meeting of the 9th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (SOM9) in Japan. The meeting featured elaborate discussions on upcoming programmes to expand opportunities for deepened co-operation in social, economic and political areas of development.
Mr Karan conveyed Fiji’s sincere appreciation to Japan and its people for their unwavering commitment and support, which has enabled Fiji-Japan collaborations to grow from strength to strength. He said the commemoration of 50 years of Fiji-Japan relations this year was a milestone achievement for the two nations; a testament of their unprecedented cooperation and great friendship.
Mr Nakayama praised the Fijian Government’s strong leadership in advancing the universal goals on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development. He reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to advance Fiji-Japan co-operation through enhanced engagements at upcoming highlevel meetings, which will present unlimited opportunities and platforms to forge stronger ties between the two nations.
He said a Japanese delegation was expected to take part in the upcoming Fiji Economic Mission scheduled in Fiji this month, which was an outcome of PALM8.
The relationship between the two nations will be further elevated following high-level meetings and greater levels of engagements between Fiji and Japan this year. These include:
■ Proposed plans on initiating Fiji and Japan PM Bilateral Summit in Japan;
■ the Japan-Fiji Parliamentary Friendship League members are expected to visit Fiji to attend the 50th Independence Jubilee Anniversary celebration in recognition of the Fiji-Japan diplomatic relations;
■ Provision of potential funding by Japan towards developing volunteer co-operation programme and work training programmes; and
■ Japan has assured continued support for Fiji, in its preparation to host the 4th PALM Ministerial Interim Meeting in July 2020. It will be significant given that it would be the first time for such an important event, to be hosted outside Japan and in a Pacific island nation. Mr Karan also spoke of the positive outcomes of the meeting he had with Tomohiro Yamamoto, State Minister of Defence, in particular the possibility of innovative programme exchanges in defence and security sectors.