Japan-Mauritius Relations
Japan-Mauritius Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
December 13, 2020
On December 13, commencing at around 10:45 a.m. (local time; 3:45 p.m. JST) for approximately 1 hour, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who was visiting Mauritius, held a Japan-Mauritius Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Honourable. Mr. Nandcoomar BODHA, GCSK, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of the Republic of Mauritius. Honourable RAMANO, MP, Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, and Honourable MAUDHOO, Minister of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping also attended the meeting. The overview is as follows.
- Minister Motegi stated that Mauritius, a regular top country of the Ease of doing business index issued by the World Bank, is an important partner even from the aspect of promoting businesses with Africa, and that he would like to take this visit as an opportunity to further strengthen the bilateral relations with Mauritius. Minister Bodha welcomed Minister Motegi’s first visit to Mauritius and stated his hope to make this visit as an opportunity to further strengthen the bilateral relations.
- Minister Motegi reiterated that Japan intended to continue cooperation with Mauritius from mid- to long- term perspectives while collaborating with the public sectors towards the economic restoration and reconstruction of Mauritius. In response, Minister Bodha extended his heartfelt appreciation for Japan’s cooperation and stated his expectation to further promote business relations with Japan towards the restoration and development of the economy of Mauritius.
- Minister Motegi also expressed his willingness to cooperate closely with Mauritius in a wide range of fields to achieve a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” touching on Japan’s various contribution including financial contribution to the Indian Ocean Committee (IOC) for strengthening maritime connectivity. Minister Bodha stated that he fully supported the idea and confirmed to continue to cooperate to achieve a “free and open Indo-Pacific.” Minister Motegi expressed his pleasure in signing the exchange of notes for providing equipment to improve the disaster prevention capabilities of Mauritius. In response, Minister Bodha expressed his appreciation to the support extended by Japan.
Minister Motegi stated that looking ahead to TICAD8 to be held in Tunisia in 2022, Japan would continue to strongly support Africa’s own development efforts including strengthening medical and health systems. Both Ministers confirmed that the two countries would cooperate with each other through the TICAD process. - The Ministers exchanged views on the United Nations Security Council Reform, the situation of North Korea, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea and shared the view on continuing close cooperation. Minister Motegi also asked for understanding and cooperation toward the early resolution of the abductions issue [and obtained support from Minister Bodha.
- Before the meeting, with the presence of Prime Minister Jugnauth, the two Ministers signed and exchanged notes for providing equipment to improve the disaster prevention capabilities of Mauritius.