MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Japan on Tuesday, November 17, said it urged ministers at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit to condemn terrorism days after terror attacks killed at least 129 people in Paris.

In a briefing with reporters over breakfast Tuesday, Japanese Deputy Press Secretary Koichi Mizushima said Japan is pushing APEC trade and foreign ministers to raise “one voice” against terrorism.

Mizushima cited the statement of Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida at the 1st plenary session of the 27th APEC ministerial meeting on Monday, November 16.

Kishida said the “act of terror” in Paris “reminded us of the importance of the fight against terrorism.”

“It is a serious challenge to our shared values, and the international community should be united to strongly condemn such act. Japan will continue to make its utmost efforts to fight against terrorism in close cooperation with the international community,” the Japanese foreign minister said.

Kishida said on Monday, “Through our discussion under the theme of ‘Inclusive Growth through Sustainable and Resilient Communities’ in Plenary Session tomorrow, I strongly hope that our common view on the importance of counterterrorism will be reaffirmed, and that we commit to enhance our efforts to tackle the acts of terrorism in APEC.”

Kishida also “suggested that at the end of this ministerial meeting of the APEC, the ministers should raise one voice in order to fight terrorism,” according to Mizushima.

Two Japanese hostages were killed early this year at the hands of ISIS militants.

An APEC forum held last February at Subic Bay, Olongapo, condemned the killings. 

Oscar Valenzuela, chairman of a working group that helps APEC’s 21 members coordinate on counterterrorism, said then: “The death of two Japanese hostages at the hands of radicals and the pipeline of foreign funding and recruits to advance the terrorist agenda of such groups are signals of an increased threat across the Asia-Pacific.”

Moment of silence for Paris 

Del Rosario, co-chair of the APEC Ministerial Meeting, said there “was a common refrain from the ministers in terms of the Paris attacks.”

He said the ministers “expressed their condolences with the families of the victims.” 

“There was a call for unity of nations and peoples, and there was additionally a call for bringing to justice those who perpetuated the horrific developments in Paris last Friday,” Del Rosario said.

Following the ministerial meeting, Asia-Pacific leaders such as US President Barack Obama and other Asia-Pacific leaders also arrived in the Philippines for the APEC Summit.

The two-day APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting begins Wednesday, November 18, under the global shadow cast by last week’s murderous rampage in Paris that killed at least 129 people.

While the 21-member APEC group’s mission is to promote trade, the leaders will undoubtedly discuss the tragic events in the French capital and efforts to counter the Islamic State (ISIS) group, which has claimed responsibility for the carnage.

In fact, during the APEC Ministerial Meeting alone, APEC ministers offered a minute of silence for the victims of the Paris tragedy.

Other APEC ministers also mentioned the Paris tragedy in their speeches, Mizushima said.

At the same time, at the entrance of the International Media Center for the APEC Summit, a newly installed light display shows the colors of the French flag – blue, white, and red.

“We stand shoulder to shoulder with you,” said a scrolling message as part of the light display. 

APEC organizers displayed these colors “in solidarity” with France, Philippine Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda told Rappler. – with reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com