The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

MINISTERIAL-level meetings between the Japanese government and CARICOM member states ended last night with a strong appeal to North Korea over denuclearisation and humanitarian concerns.

Delegates reaffirmed each country’s commitment to co-operation on international issues of climate change, maritime law, United Nations’ Security Council reform and the formulation of the post-2015 development agenda, according to a joint press statement issued yesterday.

“Recalling the concerns of the international community over North Korea’s continued development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes,” the statement read, “(Foreign ministers) strongly urged North Korea to take concrete actions towards its denuclearisation and to fully comply with its obligations under all relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and stressed the need for it to abide by the commitments made in the joint statement of the fourth round of the six-party talks of the September 2005.

“They also urged North Korea to address the human rights and humanitarian concerns, including the abductions issue.”

The fourth ministerial-level conference was co-chaired by Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fumio Kishida, and Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.

The first consultation meeting to establish the Japan-CARICOM relationship was held in Jamaica in 1993, and this year was commemorated as “Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year”.

“Foreign Ministers resolved to strengthen the bond between Japan and CARICOM member states and to co-operate in various areas related to three pillars: co-operation towards sustainable development including overcoming vulnerabilities particular to Small Island Developing States (SIDS); deepening and expanding bonds founded on exchanges and friendship; and co-operation in addressing challenges confronting the international community,” the statement read.

“Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their global partnership and mutual interests as island nations and low-lying coastal states, which face common challenges, and uphold shared basic values such as freedom, democracy, respect for basic human rights and the rule of law and committed to their countries’ continued contribution to betterment of the international community.”