Japan-Egypt Relations
Japan-Egypt Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
August 29, 2019
Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt, who is visiting Japan to attend the seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7), commencing at 6:20 p.m. on August 29 for approximately 40 minutes. The overview of the meeting is as follows:
- At the outset, Minister Kono stated that Japan appreciated Egypt’s strong support for the success of TICAD 7. In response, Minister Shoukry stated that he valued Japan’s role in organizing TICAD 7 in a successful manner. The two ministers confirmed that they would continue to work together towards the success of TICAD 7.
- Regarding the bilateral relationship, in the discussion on trade between the two countries, Minister Kono stated that Japan would like to ask Egypt’s support in order to realize concrete results toward the removal of all the import restrictions on Japanese food products imposed after the Great East Japan Earthquake. On the other hand, Minister Shoukry expressed his appreciation for Japan’s cooperation thus far extended to the symbolic projects, such as ones in the education field and the construction of Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).
- Both ministers also exchanged views on current situation in the Middle East such as the Middle East peace process, Syria, Libya and Iran, as well as on their cooperation in the international arena.
- This meeting was held following Japan-Egypt Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the occasion of G20 Osaka Summit at the end of June, and both ministers deepen their friendship amid a cozy atmosphere.