12 April 2014 – Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida welcomed Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario on April 11 to his home prefecture of Hiroshima on the occasion of the 8th Ministerial Meeting of the 12-nation Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI), where the two Ministers promptly engaged in bilateral talks on promoting the Philippine-Japan Strategic Partnership.
During the talks, Foreign MinisterKishida conveyed Japan’s pleasure in the Philippines’ admission into the NPDI in 2013. Secretary del Rosario noted that the Philippines and Japan’s shared espousal of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament objectives.
Touching on bilateral issues, Minister Kishida reiterated Japan’s commitment to supporting the reconstruction and rehabilitation of areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), consistent with the various forms of emergency support previously extended by Japan. Secretary del Rosario thanked Japan for its unwavering solidarity and overwhelming assistance, noting that Japan had extended prompt and substantial government aid valued at almost US$120 million.
Minister Kishida took the opportunity to congratulate the Philippine Government for the recent signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), and reaffirmed Japan’s abiding support for the peace process and Mindanao’s economic development. Secretary del Rosario, in reply, acknowledged Japan’s many crucial and positive contributions that have helped moved the process forward, citing the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiative for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD) and Japan’s membership in the International Monitoring Team (IMT), the International Contact Group (ICG), and the Independent Commission on Policing.
The two Foreign Ministers vowed to promote their bilateral maritime cooperation, which they described as an important pillar of their Strategic Partnership. Japan pledged continued capacity-building assistance to the Philippines in this vital arena, citing ongoing initiatives to provide the Philippine Coast Guard with human resources training, communications systems and patrol vessels.
Secretary del Rosario and Minister Kishida engaged in discussions on global and regional security issues. Referring to the Philippines’ submission of its Memorial in furtherance of the Arbitration proceedings it has initiated relative to South China Sea/West Philippine Sea issues, Minister Kishida reiterated Japan’s support for the Philippines’ effort to seek a resolution grounded on international law, which is consistent with Japan’s own rule of law advocacy. Secretary del Rosario thanked Japan for its clear manifestation of support, and stressed the Philippines’ resolve in pursuing the Arbitration, in order to attain a rules-based solution.
Both sides committed to engaging in active consultations on these and other security issues, including during the 7th Philippines-Japan Political-Military Dialogue taking place this month in Manila.
The two Foreign Ministers agreed to sustain their bilateral engagement and active cooperation within the context of ASEAN and other regional and international fora. END