Japan-Cabo Verde Relations

On August 29, for about 15 minutes, from 2:45 p.m., in Yokohama, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. José Ulisses de Pina Correia e Silva, Prime Minister of the Republic of Cabo Verde. The overview of the meeting is as follows. Prime Minister Correia e Silva is visiting Japan to participate in the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) held from August 28 to 30.

1. At the outset, Prime Minister Abe stated, “Japan wishes to strengthen ties with Cabo Verde, a country with solid foundation of democracy,” and expressed wish to cooperate with Cabo Verde as island countries sharing common challenges. In response, Prime Minister Correia e Silva remarked, “I am grateful for the invitation to TICAD 7 and hope to further strengthen the cooperative relationship with Japan,” and stated that he “highly appreciate the Yokohama Declaration.”
2. Following that, Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan places importance on the relationship with Cabo Verde, which shares universal values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and rule of law, and would like to support its efforts in advancing Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development (PEDS). Prime Minister Abe also announced his intention to assist the improvement of food security in Cabo Verde. Moreover, Prime Minister Abe referred to the commonalities of two nations, both being an island and volcanic country, and expressed his desire to promote cooperation in the field of disaster prevention, helping to enhance water supply capability in event of disaster and crisis. In response, Prime Minister Correia e Silva expressed his gratitude for Japan’s continued assistance as well as his expectations for expansion of investment by Japanese companies and for support in the areas of fishery, disaster prevention, and tourism.”
3. The two leaders also exchanged views regarding cooperation in the international arena, including UN Security Council reform, and the North Korea situation.