1. On May 1, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, was warmly welcomed by Senator the Honourable Dr. Amery BROWNE, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, at a formal flag raising ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs.
2. Minister HAYASHI and Minister BROWNE discussed the anticipated celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Trinidad and Tobago and Japan in 2024, and expressed their appreciation of the significance of this, the first ever visit of a Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan to Trinidad and Tobago.
3. Noting 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, Minister HAYASHI and Minister BROWNE expressed 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.
4. Minister HAYASHI and Minister BROWNE agreed to further expand and strengthen the bilateral relationship on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2024, through a Joint Task Force established between the Embassy of Japan in Port of Spain and the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
5. The Joint Task Force 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.
