On the Inauguration of the new President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Review of Japan's Suspension in Principle of Economic Cooperation
(Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

May 29, 1999

The Government of Japan welcomes the fact that on May 29 in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Inauguration of the new President, General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd), was carried out on schedule, thus completing the transition to a civilian rule.
Since March 1994, the Government of Japan has followed a policy of suspending, in principle, new economic cooperation with Nigeria except for assistance of an urgent and humanitarian nature. Now that the completion of the transition to a civilian rule is complete, it has decided to review the policy. The Government of Japan will study extending appropriate assistance for Nigeria's efforts for reform and development.
The Government of Japan hopes that Nigeria, under the leadership of the new president and his democratic government, will promote further democratization and economic reform, and play an important role in the stability and development of the whole African continent. The Government of Japan will extend appropriate assistance for the country's reform efforts, whole keeping close ties with Nigeria in various fields.

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