by Allanah Leahy – EM TV Online
Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pledged K1.2 billion towards natural disaster relief and climate change in the Pacific.
Prime Minister Abe made the announcement on Saturday in Iwaki, Japan, one day into the 7th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting, also known as the PALM7.
Making reference to Japan’s turbulent maritime ties with China, Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Pacific relations are to be more subdued.
“Our relations have nothing to do with one where there are shows of power or threats to use power. That is the established order of what it means to be a citizen of the Pacific Ocean,” Abe said.
Addressing 16 Pacific island member nations, Prime Minister Abe called for commitment in keeping maritime order in line with international law, and a community effort in making the Pacific Ocean more prosperous under the PALM leaders’ new Fukushima Iwaki Declaration. The relief funds exceed Japan’s K8.9 million pledge at the 2012 PALM summit.
“In order to develop the strength to combat climate change and face disasters, we offer in assistance over 55 billion yen over the next three years – until the next PALM8,” Abe said.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=48xnUkEczy0%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
