Foreign Affairs chief on a working visit to Japan

MANILA -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario will embark on his first official working visit to Japan this week on the invitation of his Japanese counterpart, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday del Rosario will be in Tokyo from June 27 to 29.

The DFA said del Rosario's trip is a follow-up to President Benigno Aquino III’s visit to Japan in September 2011, during which the bilateral strategic partnership was forged.

"Both Foreign Ministers will discuss vital issues relating to bilateral economic relations, cooperation in the field of maritime security, the Mindanao peace process, as well as regional issues such as regional security and cooperation," the DFA said.

Japan is a member of the International Monitoring Team and the International Contact Group, which both help in the peace process between the government and the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Apart from the bilateral meeting with Gemba, del Rosario will also call on Deputy Prime Minister Katsuya Okada and meet with Japan International Cooperation Agency president Akihiko Tanaka and officers of the Japan-Philippines Parliamentarian Friendship League, among others, to discuss the advancement of bilateral relations and exchange views on issues of mutual interest. (SDR/Sunnex)