The Foreign Minister of Japan, the Hon. Yoshimasa Hayashi arrived at Rarotonga International Airport yesterday for his first official visit to the Cook Islands.
His visit signifies the Cook Islands and Japan strengthening bilateral cooperation and relations between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Hayashi met with Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, the Hon. Mark Brown and other government officials today.
During the bilateral discussions, the two discussed priority areas related to Cook Islands' national interest, including water resilience and the need to support coastal protection in the Pa Enua (Outer Islands), as well as the importance of the Pacific Island Leaders Meeting (PALM) and the PALM process in promoting cooperation and the preservation of friendly relations.
Minister Hayashi will also meet with representatives of civil society and community leaders.
Minister Hayashi said he was honoured to be the first Japanese Foreign Minister to visit the Cook Islands.