Japan-Mauritania Relations
Japan-Mauritania Foreign Ministers' Meeting
April 17, 2024
On 17 April, commencing at 4:05 p.m. (local time, 11:05 p.m. Japan time) for approximately 40 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is visiting Capri, Italy to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, held a meeting with H. E. Dr. Mohamed Salem Ould MERZOUG, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
The overview of the meeting is as follows:
- At the outset, Minister Kamikawa congratulated Mauritania on its assumption of the AU Presidency and stated that Mauritania's role in representing African voices on various occasions is important, as Africa's presence in the international community increases. She also paid tribute to Mauritania for continuing to run the country on a democratic basis in the Sahel region where the situation remains unstable. Minister Kamikawa continued that Japan will cooperate with Mauritania, which will co-chair the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting in August this year with Japan, to support Africa's internal transformation, and to strengthen cooperation with African countries in enhancing the rule of law and global governance. In addition, taking advantage of the opportunity of the TICAD Ministerial Meeting, Minister Kamikawa extended her expectation to further develop bilateral relations and to contribute to solving global challenges through strengthening relations for co-creation with Africa in various fields.
- In response, Minister Merzoug expressed his expectations as the AU Chairmanship to work with Japan on the implementation of Agenda 2063 and global governance reforms. The Minister also stated that, he would like to cooperate with Japan to ensure the success of the TICAD Ministerial meeting as a Co-Chair.
- Minister Kamikawa stated that Japan is cooperating with Mauritania in strengthening the industrial bases of agriculture and fisheries, with a view to boosting the development and stability of Mauritania which is a key to the stabilization of the Sahel region. Minister Merzoug expressed his appreciation for Japan's contribution to the development of Mauritania, including in the fisheries sector, and expressed his wish to further strengthen bilateral relations, especially in the economic field.
- Minister Kamikawa also stated that Japan would like to cooperate with Mauritania and the AU in realizing peace, stability and prosperity in the international community, referring to Japan's support for displaced persons in the Sahel region through UN Women and others as part of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) initiative that Japan is promoting.
- The two Ministers also exchanged views on other issues such as cooperation in the international arena, including close collaboration on strengthening the functions of the UN, including Security Council reform, and the regional situation.