Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Inauguration of H.E. Mr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, as Chair of the African Union (AU)

February 1, 2008

Japan congratulates H.E. Mr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, on his inauguration as Chair of the African Union (AU) in the tenth Ordinary Session (Summit Meeting) of the Assembly of the AU, which is being held from January 31 (Thu) to February 2 (Sat).
Japan expects that the AU will further exert strong leadership in realizing peace and prosperity in Africa, under the initiative of Tanzania, a stable democratic state which has been actively contributing to regional peace and stability.
Considering the fact that development in Africa is one of the main agenda items in both the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICADIV) and the G8 Hokkaido-Toyako Summit, which will be held this year, Japan will closely cooperate with the AU to provide active support for the consolidation of peace and development in Africa. Japan also intends to deepen its cooperative relationship with Africa to tackle various issues in the international community.

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