Press Releases
14th Mekong-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
August 6, 2021
On August 6, commencing at 3:30 p.m. JST for approximately one hour, the 14th Mekong-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (video teleconference meeting) was held. This meeting was chaired by Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and was attended by delegates of the Mekong countries. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Motegi stated that the Mekong region is located at the core of the Indo-Pacific region and that Japan intends to continuously develop together with the Mekong countries through the Mekong-Japan cooperation framework.
- Minister Motegi stated that Japan has so far provided approximately 5.6 million doses of vaccines to the Mekong region fighting against COVID-19, which was highly appreciated and thanked by the Mekong countries. Minister Motegi also explained Japan’s supports for combatting COVID-19, including approximately 750 million yen in support for cold chain system building and provision of oxygen concentrators, and said Japan will continue to provide support to ensure that Mekong countries overcome the fight against COVID-19. The Mekong countries responded with appreciation. Furthermore, they held lively discussions regarding digital and green economy looking ahead to the post COVID-19 pandemic.
- With regard to the situation in Myanmar, Minister Motegi urged the Myanmar military to release the detained persons and to swiftly restore Myanmar’s democratic political system. In addition, Minister Motegi conveyed his concerns over the recent announcement by Myanmar to invalidate the results of last year’s election. The Minister then stated that he regards the Five-Point Consensus reached at the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting as the first step toward cessation of violence and commencement of dialogue, and welcomed the appointment of Dato Erywan, Minister of Foreign Affairs II of Brunei Darussalam, as the ASEAN Special Envoy. Minister Motegi urged Myanmar to accept the ASEAN Special Envoy as early as possible and to allow the Special Envoy to initiate dialogue with all parties.
[Reference] Attending countries
Japan (chair), Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam