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Courtesy Call on Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone, Minister for Foreign Affairs, by H. E. Ms. Fatima Nagdee Hajaig, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa

January 27, 2009

1. On January 27, Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone, Minister for Foreign Affairs, received a courtesy call from H. E. Ms. Fatima Nagdee Hajaig, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa.
    
2. After welcoming H.E. Ms. Hajaig’s visit to Japan, Mr. Nakasone said on the bilateral relationship that Japan and South Africa were expected to actively contribute to the solutions of the problems of the international community.  In addition to the strengthening of bilateral relations, he also wished to deepen the cooperation between the two countries for peace, safety and development in Africa and the world.
     In response, H.E. Ms. Hajaig expressed her gratitude for the holding of the 9th Japan-South Africa Partnership Forum in Japan, and stated that the relations between the two countries had been further strengthened by the meaningful and constructive discussions in various fields during the Forum.  
    
3. As to the follow-up of the 4th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV), Mr. Nakasone said that the financial crisis and global economic downturn had had no small impact on African countries including South Africa, and that Japan had been carrying out the commitments announced at TICAD IV steadily and would continue to do so.   He also called upon Ms. Hajaig to participate in the ministerial-level meeting to be held in Botswana in March.
     In response, H.E. Ms. Hajaig said that the current global economic downturn was affecting Africa, especially the poor countries.  She hoped Japan would gather together the voices of African countries on its impact to Africa at the meeting in Botswana and carry them to the 2nd Summit Meeting on Financial Markets and the World Economy to be held in London in April.
    
4. Both sides also exchanged views on the United Nations, regional situations and other topics in a friendly atmosphere.

Related Information (Japan-South Africa Relations)