Statement: The Secretary of Foreign Affairs on the bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister of Japan, January 10, 2013

Press Statement of Secretary Albert F. del Rosario:
On the bilateral meeting with His Excellency Fumio Kishida, Foreign Minister of Japan

[Released on January 10, 2013]

Today, I had the pleasure of meeting His Excellency Fumio Kishida, the newly-appointed Foreign Minister of Japan. The Philippines is the first country that His Excellency has visited since his appointment as Japan?s foreign minister, for which we are deeply honored. The official visit of Foreign Minister Kishida also reaffirms the strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan.

We had productive discussions on various important bilateral as well as regional issues, such as trade, investments, tourism, development assistance, people-to-people exchanges and maritime security, and the Mindanao peace process.

Japan is the Philippines? number one trade partner with total trade exceeding $13 billion last year. Japan also remains as the Philippines? top export market for 2012.

Japan has been the Philippines? number one source of approved investments since 2009 with approved investments reaching P22.35 billion in the 1^st half of 2012 alone. The Philippines is also looking into possible collaboration in the promotion of investments with Japanese small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).

Japan remains the number one source of development assistance in terms of loans. Thus, the Philippines looks forward to stronger cooperation with Japan in developing our country?s infrastructure particularly in the transportation sector.

Japan ranks third in tourist arrivals, as there were 375,248 Japanese tourist arrivals between January to November 2012.

The people-to-people exchanges have deepened the ties of friendship and understanding between the Philippines and Japan. Capacity development programs promote the development of Philippine human resources, particularly in the public sector, while cultural programs provide opportunities for the youth of both countries to learn about each other?s culture fostering friendships on the basis of mutual respect and understanding.

The Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement(PJEPA) is the Philippines? first and only bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the Philippines wishes to maximize the opportunity to improve the Agreement and mutually reap its economic benefits. I hope that our two governments would continue exploring both short-term and long-term solutions to help Filipino healthcare workers to be accepted by Japanese healthcare institutions.

On maritime security, the Japanese government has been assisting the Philippines in strengthening the capacity of the Philippine Coast Guard through human resource development and augmentation of much needed communications system equipment for maritime safety. The acquisition of multi-role response vessels is undergoing serious consideration. There is also regular exchange of views and dialogue between officials of the two countries on maritime and ocean affairs.

I thanked the Foreign Minister for Japan?s assistance in the Mindanao peace process. Since 2006, the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD) contributed to the peace process through socio-economic infrastructure projects amounting to P5.5 billion, Japan also participates in the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in rehabilitation efforts, humanitarian assistance and in monitoring the ceasefire and in the International Contact Group (ICG) as an observer in the peace talks. Japan is the only country that is a member of both IMT and ICG in the Mindanao peace process.

I expressed the Philippine government?s appreciation to the Japanese government and people for their timely and substantial assistance to those affected by typhoon Pablo. The Japanese government provided emergency relief goods worth approximately P21 million and extended emergency grant aid amounting to P171 million for a response action plan for recovery through various UN agencies. Japanese local governments, private corporations, and non-profit organizations have also extended cash donations and pledges amounting to P11.5 million.

I look forward to meet Foreign Minister Kishida again in the near future and to closely work together in enhancing the strategic partnership between our two countries.

Thank you.

dfa.gov.ph

Source: http://www.gov.ph/2013/01/10/statement-the-secretary-of-foreign-affairs-on-the-bilateral-meeting-with-the-foreign-minister-of-japan-january-10-2013/

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