A bilateral meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in Tokyo between Malta’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Carmelo Abela and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Kazuyuki Nakane. Both Ministers attested to the fact that both island nations share the same fundamental values while also respecting the rule of law, democracy and human rights. Minister Abela is currently in Japan as part of a delegation led by Prime Minister of Malta Joseph Muscat.
Talks focused on a range of bilateral issues including the current political and first-ever business mission to Japan, the JET Programme, the Record of Discussions signed between the Civil Aviation Authorities and the ongoing negotiations on the Working Holiday Arrangement that will further enhance people-to-people relations between Malta and Japan. Regional issues were also discussed, including the situation in the South China Sea and also in North Korea.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Nakane supported Malta on the successful initiative to send a business delegation of 50 people to confirm stronger economic relations between the two countries. Minister Abela acknowledged that this was also the first business mission from Malta to Japan which included various companies and entities from across many sectors of Malta’s economy. Minister Abela conveyed his invite for a Japanese business delegation to visit Malta in the near future.
Malta and Japan are both maritime nations which strive to maintain order based on rule of law. Minister Abela highlighted the importance of close cooperation and collaboration between IMLI and Nippon Foundation – especially following yesterday’s signing of an MoU at the Nippon Foundation Head Office in Tokyo. This visit is also a testimony of Malta’s strong commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries on various issues including ocean governance.
The Minister was accompanied by Malta’s Ambassador to Japan, Andre Schembri.
