Japan-Madagascar Relations
Meeting between Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Akiba and President Razanamahasoa of National Assembly of Madagascar
On October 23, commencing at 2:00 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. AKIBA Kenya , Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Ms. Christine RAZANAMAHASOA, President of National Assembly of Madagascar. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Akiba welcomed the visit by H.E. Ms. President of National Assembly Razanamahasoa to Japan and stated, “I attended the inauguration ceremony of H.E. Mr. Andry Nirina Rajoelina, President of the Republic of Madagascar this January as a special envoy of the Prime Minister Abe and directly delivered the congratulatory message from H.M. the Emperor and the congratulatory remark of the Prime Minister Abe.”
In response, H.E. Ms. Razanamahasoa expressed congratulations on the Ceremony of Enthronement of H.M. Emperor on behalf of the President Rajoelina. Also, she expressed her greatest pleasure to attend the Ceremony as the representative of Madagascar for her first visit to Japan and she stated she was impressed by the modern city landscape of Tokyo.
2. Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Akiba stated, “In order to realise free and open Indo-Pacific, Japan would like to strengthen the relation with Madagascar, which is located in an important area regarding the maritime security, and enhance the connectivity between Asia and Africa. Also, Ambatovy Project, which is one of the largest mining investment projects in Africa conducted by Japanese firms, serves as a symbol of Japan-Madagascar cooperation, and Japan would like to smoothly implement the project in close cooperation with Madagascar.” Moreover, in reference to the project for the improvement of bridges in the National Road No.2 (Antananarivo-Toamasina), he expressed his pleasure for the signing on the Exchange of Notes regarding the grant aid cooperation of approximately 2.6 billion yen at the occasion of TICAD7.
In response, H.E. Ms. Razanamahasoa expressed her appreciation for the support such as the expansion of the port of Toamasina provided by Japan, and stated her willingness to commit to further deepening of the Japan-Madagascar and Japan-Africa relations through parliament to parliament exchanges.
3. At the end of the meeting, Special Advisor Akiba and H.E. Ms. Razanamahasoa shared the view that they would commit to further strengthening friendship between Japan and Madagascar.