Japan-Senegal Relations
Foreign Minister Motegi visits Senegal (January 11)
January 11, 2021
On January 11, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is currently visiting Senegal, held the Japan-Senegal Foreign Ministers' Meeting (Day 2) with H.E. Ms. Aissata TALL SALL, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad of the Republic of Senegal, following the first meeting on January 10, for approximately 75 minutes from around 10:00 a.m. local time (7:00 p.m. JST). After the meeting, Minister Motegi paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Macky SALL, President of the Republic of Senegal, for approximately 75 minutes from around 11:20 a.m. local time (8:20 p.m. JST). The overview of these meetings is as follows.
During the visit to Senegal, Minister Motegi affirmed that Japan would further bolster its strategic partnership with Senegal, a stable democracy that celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Japan last year, with a view to maintaining and enhancing multilayered relations of cooperation.
During the visit to Senegal, Minister Motegi affirmed that Japan would further bolster its strategic partnership with Senegal, a stable democracy that celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Japan last year, with a view to maintaining and enhancing multilayered relations of cooperation.
1 Japan-Senegal Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (Day 2)
- Minister Motegi expressed his hope to further promote bilateral cooperation based on the longstanding friendly relations between Japan and Senegal, which celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations last year. In response, Minister Tall expressed her gratitude for Japan's wide variety of supports and hoped to further promote trade and investment as well as people to people exchanges between Japan and Senegal.
- Minister Motegi stated that Japan is making efforts for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Africa and that Japan would continue to support the fight against COVID-19 by Senegal as a role model in promoting UHC. Minister Motegi also articulated that Japan would continue to cooperate with Senegal in the areas of agriculture and fisheries to improve food self-sufficiency, which the Government of Senegal is focusing on. In response, Minister Tall expressed her profound gratitude for Japan's cooperation and requested support for securing COVID-19 vaccines and solving debt issues of developing countries. In addition, the two Ministers held discussions on a wide range of issues including international affairs and shared the view to bolster cooperation in various areas, including promotion of businesses and the TICAD process going forward, building upon the excellent bilateral relations.
2 Courtesy Call on President Sall of the Republic of Senegal by Foreign Minister Motegi
- President Sall welcomed Minister Motegi's visit to Senegal and stated that he considered the relations with Japan as his priority and that he hoped to take this opportunity to further strengthen Japan-Senegal relations. Minister Motegi stated that he would like to further deepen the cooperation with Senegal, building on the friendly relationship between Japan and Senegal, which celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations last year.
- Minister Motegi stated that Senegal is a role model in promoting UHC, and that Japan would continue to support the efforts for strengthening Senegal's healthcare system. President Sall expressed his deep gratitude for Japan's support for improving Senegal's food security and human resources development.
- Minister Motegi elaborated on the vision of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" promoted by Japan. President Sall stated that he is paying close attention to Japan's initiative, and the two sides agreed to cooperate on enhancing connectivity and building quality infrastructure under this vision.
- The two sides also agreed to cooperate in preparation for the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8) to be held in Tunisia in 2022, exchanged views on addressing issues related to North Korea, including the abductions issue, and shared the view to continue close cooperation.