Japan-Phl Foreign Ministers meet to bolster trilateral cooperation in economy and maritime security

On April 11, commencing at 9:00 a.m. for approximately 45 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Washington, D.C., the United States, held a Japan-Philippines Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Hon. Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

Introduction

1. Minister Kamikawa welcomed the first Japan-U.S.-Philippines Summit, which builds on the previous discussions among the Foreign Ministers, and stated that it was critically important to strengthen Japan-Philippines and Japan-U.S.-Philippines cooperation in a multilayered manner in order to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law and to develop regional economy.
   
2. In response, Secretary Manalo stated that the Philippines would like to further develop Japan-Philippines and Japan-U.S.-Philippines cooperation in a wide range of areas such as security and economy, building on close coordination among Foreign Ministers to date.
   
3. Bilateral and Trilateral Cooperation
   
4. Minister Kamikawa stated that Japan would like to further deepen bilateral security and defense cooperation including through the provision of Official Security Assistance (OSA) and transfer of defense equipment, and to further strengthen cooperation in capacity building for maritime safety including through the provision of additional patrol vessels through Official Development Assistance (ODA). In response, Secretary Manalo expressed his sincere appreciation for Japan’s assistance. The two ministers also confirmed that the two countries would continue to work together toward the early conclusion of the negotiations for the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA).
   
5. Minister Kamikawa stated that Japan would continue to support the Philippines’ attainment of the upper-middle-income countries status, referring to the agreements made this March on additional assistance to the Metro Manila Subway project and assistance to the Dalton Pass East Alignment Road project through ODA. Secretary Manalo expressed his gratitude for Japan’s support to date and his desire to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of economy.
   
6. Minister Kamikawa stated that it was essential for Japan, the U.S. and the Philippines, as maritime nations linked by the Pacific Ocean and natural partners, to play a proactive role together for the sake of peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. The two ministers concurred to further strengthen trilateral cooperation in various fields such as economy and maritime security.
   
7. Response to Regional and International Challenges
   
8. The two ministers also exchanged views on various regional and international issues, and confirmed that the two countries would continue to work together on the situation in the East and South China Seas, the situation in North Korea, nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, WPS, and other issues.
   
9. In connection with the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, Minister Kamikawa presented Yamanaka-nuri lacquerware tumblers to Secretary Manalo in hope for the recovery of the affected areas.