The acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edgardo Riveros, met with the Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Takashi Uto, on his first visit to our country.
At the meeting, the acting Minister expressed the satisfaction of the Government of Chile for the visit, stressing that it allows the countries to strengthen dialogue and understanding, and to promote the excellent ties of friendship and bilateral cooperation. In 2017, Chile and Japan will celebrate their 120th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The acting Foreign Minister expressed the willingness of the President of the Republic of Chile to visit to Japan in 2017.
Additionally, the acting Minister highlighted the role of parliaments and binational friendship groups, and was thankful for the hospitality extended to the delegation that recently visited Japan, an opportunity where Chilean parliamentarians held meetings with authorities of the Diet, Japan's national parliament, agreeing to strengthen inter-parliamentary dialogue.
Vice-Minister Uto, along with delivering condolences on behalf of his government for the victims and damages in Tocopilla from the recent storms, agreed on the importance of Chile and Japan strengthening the exchange of experiences in the prevention and management of natural disasters, an area prominent on the agenda of the visit by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last year.
Furthermore, acting Foreign Minister Riveros expressed Chile's support for the initiative of Japan to establish, worldwide, International Tsunami Day, during the 70th session of the UN General Assembly in September.
Both officials also discussed areas of bilateral interest where Chile and Japan can expand cooperation, such as in the energy sector, promoting a transfer of technology in renewable energy, mining and disability, among others.