Japan-Niger Relations
Japan-Niger Summit Meeting
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On June 19, commencing at 6:40 p.m. for approximately 35 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office with H.E. Mr. Issoufou Mahamadou, President of the Republic of Niger, who was visiting Japan. The outline of the meeting is as follows.
Japanese officials in attendance included Mr. Katsunobu Kato, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, and the attendees on the Nigerien side included H.E. Mr. Amadou Boubacar Cissé, Minister of State for Planning, Regional Development, and Community Development; and H.E. Ms. Kané Aïchatou Boulama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration and Nigeriens Abroad.
Following the meeting, the two leaders held a signing ceremony for the Japan-Niger Joint Communique (French) (PDF)
and a joint press announcement. After that, a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Abe took place in a relaxed atmosphere, and the two leaders exchanged views on a wide variety of subjects.
1. Opening Remarks
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(1) Prime Minister Abe said he was pleased to receive President Issoufou to Japan, mentioning their last meeting while he was visiting the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire in January last year, and that President Issoufou is the first Nigerien head of state to visit Japan in 29 years. Prime Minister Abe also expressed his sincere condolences and sympathies over the attack that occurred in the south-eastern part of Niger on June 17, which is understood to have been committed by Boko Haram, and stated that Japan firmly condemns terrorism in all forms. Prime Minister Abe acknowledged Niger is an anchor for the stability of the Sahel region where the security situation is unstable and that the country is promoting public safety measures and initiatives to improve people’s lives. Prime Minister Abe explained that Niger is Japan’s important partner for promoting initiatives for peace and stability in the Sahel region, and expressed the intention to further develop the relationship between the two countries.
(2) President Issoufou explained Niger’s priorities based on Niger’s Renaissance Program, namely agriculture, water and the environment, and expressed gratitude for Japan’s cooperation on those priorities as well as other areas such as education, health and humanitarian assistance.
2. Putting Proactive Contribution to Peace into practice in the Sahel region
(1) Prime Minister Abe appreciated Niger’s proactive efforts for peace and stability in the Sahel region. The Prime Minister explained that Japan is also enhancing its support for improving counterterrorism capabilities in the Sahel region under its “Proactive Contribution to Peace” policy, and expressed Japan’s intention to maintain and strengthen the ongoing efforts in this area.
(2) President Issoufou said security is a top priority in Niger, and expressed admiration for Japan’s “Proactive Contribution to Peace” policy and its actions and resolve as a peace-loving nation. The two leaders discussed the security situation in the Sahel region, and agreed on the need to strengthen their partnership toward the peace and stability of the region.
3. Support to back up Niger as it moves ahead with economic and social development
(1) Prime Minister Abe welcomed that Niger is proactively promoting development policies, and expressed Japan’s intention to continue to cooperate especially in areas such as agriculture and education, in order to support Niger’s economic and social development. The Prime Minister added that Japan is in the process of preparing approximately 200 million Japanese yen of grant aid, and is also considering new assistance for address food shortages.
(2) President Issoufou explained development priorities in Niger, and expressed satisfaction that Japan’s support is consistent with the areas Niger is prioritizing.
4. Next Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD)
Next Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) The two leaders agreed on their continued cooperation towards a success in the next TICAD, which will be held for the first time in Africa next year.
5. Promoting cooperation in the international arena
(1) Prime Minister Abe expressed his wish to strengthen Japan’s cooperation with Niger, including on the United Nations Security Council reform, at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and on the Japanese abductees and other human rights issues.
(2) In response, President Issoufou expressed his expectation to promote cooperation with Japan in the international arena, stating that Niger attaches importance to reforming global governance through the UN Security Council reform.