Mr. Iwaya, Minister for Foreign Affairs is shaking hands with Hon. Lorin S. Robert, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Federated States of Micronesia
Mr. Iwaya, Minister for Foreign Affairs is shaking hands with Hon. Lorin S. Robert, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Federated States of Micronesia
Mr. Iwaya, Minister for Foreign Affairs is talking with Hon. Lorin S. Robert, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Federated States of Micronesia
Mr. Iwaya, Minister for Foreign Affairs is talking with Hon. Lorin S. Robert, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Federated States of Micronesia
On March 18, commencing at 3:35 p.m. for approximately 25 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with Hon. Lorin S. Robert, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), who is visiting Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
At the outset, Minister IWAYA mentioned that Japan and the FSM are friends bound by "kizuna" (bond of trust) that has been fostered over 150 years and are important partners which share common values and principles. Minister Iwaya also stated that he was looking forward to working with Secretary Robert toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)”. Both Ministers concurred on further strengthening the bilateral relations between Japan and the FSM.
Regarding the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea, Minister IWAYA expressed his gratitude for the visit by the delegation of President Simina to TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station on March 17, and also stated that Japan would continue to handle the matter with transparency based on scientific evidence to enhance the confidence in its safety. Secretary Robert expressed his appreciation for Japan's efforts and stated that he would like to share his firsthand experience at the site with other Pacific Island countries.
Mentioning Japan’s decision to contribute to the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) which he announced on March 10, Minister Iwaya stated that Japan is determined to work together to address common challenges such as climate change which Pacific Island countries regard as “the single greatest existential threat”, and the marine environment. He also expressed his hope so that Japan could contribute to the sustainable development and stability of the FSM through steady implementation of the construction project of a new wharf at Pohnpei Port as well as provision of a fishery research vessel which was announced in the 10th Pacific Leaders Meeting (PALM 10) held in July last year. In response, Secretary Robert expressed his appreciation to the Government and people of Japan for their assistance to the FSM.
Both sides also exchanged views on regional situations.