Japan-Côte d'Ivoire Relations
Foreign Minister Hayashi’s Working Lunch with Prime Minister ACHI of Côte d’Ivoire
August 27, 2022
On August 27, commencing at 12:55 p.m. (local time; same day, 08:55 p.m. JST) for approximately 65 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Tunisia to attend the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 8), held a working lunch with H.E. Mr. Patrick Jérôme ACHI, Prime Minister of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Achi for his participation in TICAD 8. Minister Hayashi stated that he hoped to further deepen bilateral relations through the Japan-Côte d’Ivoire investment agreement and efforts to promote and stimulate investment in Cote d'Ivoire, and informed Prime Minister Achi that Japan intends to support development of the northern region, which is important for the stability of Côte d'Ivoire as well as its sub-region. In response, Prime Minister Achi expressed his condolences to former Prime Minister Abe and stated that President OUATTARA decided to rename one intersection after the former Prime Minister and Minister Hayashi expressed his gratitude. Prime Minister Achi then expressed his appreciation for Japan's extensive support and his hope for further promotion of investment from Japanese companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as human resource development by Japan. Both sides confirmed to work for further development of bilateral relations.
- Minister Hayashi then stated that it is essential for the international community to cooperate in its response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and that Japan intends to continue contributing to strengthening food security in Africa. Prime Minister Achi stated that the vulnerability of food security in Africa is evident and that he hopes to cooperate with Japan. Minister Hayashi also raised the importance of transparency and fairness of development finance and the two sides confirmed to cooperate with each other.
- Furthermore, the two sides shared the view to continue to work together in responding to regional and international issues, such as North Korea, including on the nuclear, missile, and abductions issues and strengthening of the functions of the United Nations as a whole, including the Security Council reform. They also confirmed to coordinate to maintain and strengthen the NPT regime following the recent NPT Review Conference.