Antigua and Barbuda and Japan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations and expanding cooperation following high-level bilateral talks held on the sidelines of the 29th Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Minister of Foreign Affairs E.P. Chet Greene met with Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eri Arfiya, where both officials discussed several areas of mutual interest and future collaboration.

During the meeting, Vice-Minister Arfiya congratulated the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) on its recent election victory and thanked Minister Greene for his support of Japan, including his participation at Expo 2025 in Osaka, which she said helped strengthen ties between the two nations.

In response, Greene highlighted the longstanding and positive relationship between Antigua and Barbuda and Japan, while expressing appreciation for Japan’s continued assistance to CARICOM in key areas such as climate change, disaster risk management, sustainable development, and global financial reform.

The Foreign Minister also sought support from Japan in transportation arrangements for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), a request that reportedly received favourable consideration from the Japanese delegation.

Discussions also revisited Antigua and Barbuda’s interest in establishing a permanent diplomatic mission in Tokyo once feasibility studies are completed.

Both countries reaffirmed their shared commitment to democracy, sovereignty, respect for international law, and ongoing discussions surrounding reform of the United Nations Security Council, while also reviewing existing Japanese-supported initiatives in Antigua and Barbuda.