Japan, Chile to Cooperate on Environment, Climate Change Issues

Sep 03 - BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific

Japan and Chile agreed Monday to further enhance cooperation on environmental and climate change issues, as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visiting Chilean President Michelle Bachelet met in Tokyo and celebrated the coming into force of a bilateral free trade agreement.

The two leaders also agreed on Japan's offer of technical cooperation for the strengthening of an earthquake monitoring system in Chile, they said in a joint press statement issued after the talks.

In a separate statement specifically on tackling environmental issues, Abe and Bachelet agreed to focus on curbing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the ozone layer, as well as on taking measures against air and mining-related pollution.

The two countries also reaffirmed the importance of promoting clean energy such as solar, wind, hydro power and natural gas, and of further improving energy efficiency and promoting energy conservation, the statement said.

It is the fourth statement of its kind on environmental issues that Japan has signed with another country since Abe announced his "Cool Earth 50" vision of halving carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.

The statement is part of Abe's efforts to build global consensus and support ahead of the Group of Eight summit of major nations to be held in Hokkaido's Lake Toya area next July.

On the free trade agreement, the two leaders agreed that it "lays a new foundation for a consolidated economic partnership and for strengthening of bilateral political relations," the press statement said.

Abe and Bachelet, Chile's first woman president, also discussed international affairs including cooperation to reform the UN Security Council and resolve the North Korean nuclear standoff.

Bachelet reiterated Chile's support for Japan's efforts to become a permanent member of an expanded UN Security Council. She also extended "strong support" for Tokyo's efforts to resolve the issue of North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals and stated that Chile will support the UN resolution on the human rights situation in North Korea.

This year marks the 110th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Originally published by Kyodo News Service, Tokyo, in English 1111 3 Sep 07.