Japan-Eswatini Relations
Meeting between Prime Minister Abe and Swazi King Mswati III
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On October 21, commencing at 4:55 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. ABE Shinzo, Prime Minister of Japan, held a meeting with H.M. King Mswati III, King of the Kingdom of Eswatini, on the occasion of his visit in Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows. The meeting was attended on the Japanese side by Mr. OKADA Naoki, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, Mr. KIHARA Minoru, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister and others, and on the Eswatini side by, Hon. Thuli Dladla, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Mancoba Khumalo, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Hon. Christian Ntshangase, Minister of Public Service, H.E. Mlondi Dlamini, High Commissioner of Eswatini to Malaysia and others.
1. Opening remarks
Prime Minister Abe welcomed H.M. King Mswati III and stated, “It is a great pleasure to reunite with H.M. King Mswati III for the first time after the UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction four years ago.
In response, H.M. King Mswati III offered congratulations for the enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, stated that he appreciated the warm welcome to Japan on behalf of the people of Eswatini, and paid his respect that Japan harmonizes tradition and modernity in a country.
2. Bilateral relations
Prime Minister Abe expressed appreciation to Eswatini for supporting Japan’s position at international fora, noting that “Eswatini is a reliable partner” for Japan. In addition, Prime Minister Abe expressed Japan’s intention to strengthen trade and investment relations and provide supports in the areas of agriculture, health, and human resources development, while taking advantage of the outcomes of the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7).
In response to H.M. King Mswati III’s request for Japan’s concrete supports in the field of electric power and petroleum reserve, Prime Minister Abe stated, “Japan would like to cooperate for development of Eswatini based on your concrete request.”
3. International and regional situations
The two leaders exchanged views regarding the international and regional situations. Prime Minister Abe sought understanding and cooperation on the early resolution of the abductions issue and gained support of H.M. King Mswati III.