On July 19, 2021, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Jamaica, held a teleconference with Dr. the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Security, Legal Affairs and Information of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The meeting took approximately 20 minutes from 8:45 p.m. (Eastern Caribbean Time), or 9:45 a.m. (Japan time on July 20). The overview of the meeting is as follows:
- Minister Motegi expressed his sympathy for the tremendous damage caused by the eruption of La Soufrière volcano in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in April. The Minister noted that Japan provided emergency relief goods in April, and had decided to extend an Emergency Grant Aid of 1.58 million U.S. dollars in July for shelter renovation and food assistance. Minister Motegi also stated that Japan has been providing grant aid for provision of medical equipment to fight against COVID-19.
- the Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed his gratitude for Japan’s support.
- Discussions were also held on the regional situation and the cooperation between the two countries in the international arena.
