RTVM's video: http: rtvm gov ph - Signing of Japan-Philippines Joint Statement

3rd Floor, Prime Ministers' Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tokyo, Japan 27 September 2011 President Benigno S. Aquino III and Japan Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda signed a joint statement on the "Comprehensive Promotion of the Strategic Partnership Between Neighboring Countries Connected by Special Bonds of Friendship" right after a productive bilateral summit meeting at the Sōri Kantei or the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo. In the joint statement, Prime Minister Noda expressed his gratitude to the Philippines for the provision of emergency relief supplies and dispatch of a medical assistance team during the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake while President Aquino responded by reiterating his condolences to the victims of the quake. It also included the declaration of both leaders on several areas of common strategic interests and forms of cooperation, namely: the operation of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), promotion and enhancement of investment, continuation of economic cooperation, regional cooperation on disaster prevention and management, environment and climate change, maritime security, high-level dialogues, peace in Mindanao, the Korean Peninsula, UN Security Council reform, UN Peacekeeping Operations, and tourism and youth exchanges. President Aquino and Prime Minister Noda also witnessed the Exchange of Notes between Foreign Affairs Minister Albert del Rosario and Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba on the Yen Loan for the Forestland Management Project worth ¥9.22 billion or about P5.87 billion, which will help preserve critical river basins in the Philippines spanning four regions.