パラオ共和国独立21周年記念に際し、日本パラオ友好議員連盟会長として、心よりお祝い申し上げます。
昨年来、レメンゲサウ大統領の来日、日本とパラオが共同議長国を務めた第７回太平洋・島サミット（PALM７）の成功や天皇皇后両陛下のご訪問等により、パラオ共和国と日本の友好関係は一層深化し、強化されました。友好議員連盟会長として、このような両国関係の急速な発展を目の当たりにしていることを嬉しく感じ、またこの時期を失うことなく更なる発展に向け努力したいと考えています。
4月には、先の大戦で亡くなった全ての人々を追悼し、またその遺族の歩んできた苦難の道を偲ぶため、天皇皇后両陛下がパラオをご訪問されましたが、これは両国の歴史にとって最も重要で意義深い行事となり、両国民が長年にわたり築いてきた友好協力関係が一層深化されました。レメンゲサウ大統領及び令夫人とパラオ国民のおもてなしに心より感謝申し上げます。
両陛下のご訪問のわずか一ヶ月後に福島県いわき市で開催されたPALM７は、安倍総理とレメンゲサウ大統領が共同議長を務められましたが、パラオの協力なしに成功することはなかったと言っても過言ではありません。太平洋の豊かな未来のための様々な課題や取組について議論を行い、各国首脳は日本と太平洋島嶼国のパートナーシップをさらなる高みに引き上げました。ここでも、両国は、歴史的に重要な取組を共に成し遂げたことになります。
光栄にも、私は昨年12月の訪日の際、またPALM７の際の日本・島嶼国友好議員連盟主催昼食会において、レメンゲサウ大統領にお会いすることができました。こうしたハイレベルの相互交流が両国関係の深化を大きく加速させると確信しており、友好議連のメンバーと共に、両国の議員同士の交流と人的交流を一層促進させる所存です。
今年は、戦後70年を迎え、平和への思いを新たにしているところです。第2次世界大戦では、パラオのペリュリュー島が激戦地となり多くの方々が亡くなりました。その遺骨収集帰還事業においてパラオから多大なる協力をいただいていることにこの場を借りて御礼申し上げるとともに、引き続きのご支援をお願いしたいと思います。両国が共に平和を希求し、安心して暮らせる社会を築いていくことができればと考えております。
様々な交流や協力を通じ、両国の信頼関係が今後一層深まることを切に願う旨をお伝えし、お祝いメッセージの結びと致します。

＜英文＞
Nobuteru Ishihara CHAIRMAN, JAPAN-PALAU PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDSHIP LEAGUE
As the chairman of the Japan-Palau Parliamentary Friendship League, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations on the 21th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Palau Since last year, the relationship between Japan and Palau has been further deepened and strengthened through such events as the official visit to Japan by H.E. Tommy Remengesau, president of Palau, the successful holding of the 7th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 7) in which Japan and Palau took the role of co-chairs, and the visit of Their Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko to Palau. I am delighted to witness such an impressive development of our bilateral relationship as the chairman of the Parliamentary Friendship League, and am determined to make utmost efforts to maintain this momentum for further evolution.
In April, the Imperial Couple visited Palau to mourn and pay tribute to all those who lost their lives in World War II and reflect on the hardships suffered by the bereaved families. It was one of the most significant and important events in the history between our two countries, and the friendly cooperative relations that our nations have forged so far have certainly been further developed. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the warm welcome extended to Their Majesties by Remengesau, the first lady and the people of Palau.
PALM 7, which took place in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, only one month after the visit of the Imperial Couple, was co-chaired by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and Remengesau, and there is no doubt that PALM7 would not have been a success without Palau’s support Having discussed various challenges and ways forward for the prosperous future of the Pacific, the leaders have elevated the relationship between Japan and Pacific island countries to a higher level. Here again, we have realized a historically significant event together.
I had the honor to see Remengesau during his official visit to Japan last December and at the luncheon organized by the Japan-Pacific Island Countries Parliamentary Friendship League during PALM 7. Being convinced that high-level mutual exchanges give strong impetus to the advancement of bilateral relations, I am determined to work, together with my colleagues in the friendship league, to further promote parliamentary exchanges and people to people exchanges between the two countries.
In this year marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Japan renews its hope for peace. During World War II, fierce battles took place in Peleliu, Palau and many people lost their lives. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for Palau’s great cooperation and request its continuous support to collect the remains of the fallen. I hope that both countries seek together peace in the world arid build together a society where people live peacefully.
To conclude my message, I would like to extend my profound wish that our relationship of mutual trust will be further deepened through various exchanges and cooperation.