PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Japan Foreign Affairs Minister, Hayashi Yoshimasa Monday held talks with his Trinidad and Tobago counterpart, Dr. Amery Browne as the two countries prepare to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations.
Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Minister Dr. Amery Browne (Right) watches as his Japanese counterpart Hayashi Yoshimasa signs the book (Photo courtesy Ministry of Foreign Affairs)A joint statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here said that Yoshimasa and Browne attended a formal flag raising ceremony and later “discussed the anticipated celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Trinidad and Tobago and Japan in 2024”.
It said that Yoshimasa is the first ever Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan to visiting the oil-rich twin island Republic and that “the two countries share fundamental values and principles such as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, and have developed relations in various fields since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1964”.
The statement quoted both ministers as reiterating their “commitment to further collaboration and cooperation in the international arena towards the realization of a free and open international order based on the rule of law”.
It said that they also agreed to establish a Joint Task Force that “will engage in extensive discussions to expand and deepen the exchanges and bonds of friendship between the two countries in a wide range of areas, including education, culture, academic exchange, economic cooperation, tourism promotion and sports exchange, as well as to explore concrete measures to achieve the goal of strengthening relations”.
The Foreign Minister also held talks with Energy and Energy Related Industries Minister, Stuart Young with both men agreeing on the importance of encouraging young persons in the area of innovation and new technologies.
