Press Releases
Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs ONISHI’s Visit to the Syrian Arab Republic
On December 22, local time, Mr. ONISHI Yohei, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, visited the Syrian Arab Republic. During his visit, he held talks with H.E. Mr. Mohammed Yasser Barnieh, Minister of Finance of the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as with relevant officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. A representative from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also accompanied Parliamentary Vice-Minister ONISHI on this visit. The overview is as follows:
- Parliamentary Vice-Minister ONISHI stated that this visit marked the first visit by a senior political official from Japan to Syria in approximately 15 years. He expressed Japan’s intention to support an inclusive, peaceful, and stable transition by the Syrian government, which has undergone historic changes, and noted that today marked the opening of a new chapter in Japan-Syria relations.
- Parliamentary Vice-Minister ONISHI further explained that, in addition to the assistance Japan has provided to Syria through international organizations and NGOs to date, the Government of Japan has decided to resume bilateral economic cooperation with Syria as appropriate. He also conveyed that, under the supplementary budget for this fiscal year, Japan has newly decided to provide assistance amounting to a total of USD 53 million to Syria. He expressed Japan’s intention to support Syria’s reconstruction by utilizing the people-to-people connections cultivated between the two countries as well as Japan’s unique knowledge and experience.
- The accompanying JICA representative stated that JICA is committed to contributing to human resource development and capacity building through training and other initiatives, and expressed their hope that such efforts would further strengthen the bonds between the two countries.
- In response, the Syrian side expressed its heartfelt welcome to Parliamentary Vice-Minister ONISHI for his visit to Damascus, the first by a high-level Japanese political official in approximately 15 years. The Syrian side also expressed its appreciation for Japan’s consistent support for the Syrian people and welcomed the resumption of bilateral economic cooperation.
- The Syrian side also explained the initiatives being undertaken to promote stabilization following the inauguration of the new government in December 2024, and conveyed its strong expectations for Japan’s role in the future reconstruction process.
- Both sides concurred to continue close cooperation, including through the further promotion of mutual visits.
(Reference) Relevant officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic
Mr. Zakaria Lababidi, Director of the Afro-Asian and Oceanian Affairs Department; Mr. Talal Kanaan, Director of International Cooperation; and Mr. Saad Baroud, Director of International Organizations and Conferences, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Syrian Arab Republic.