Countries & Regions
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Visit to the Republic of Djibouti (August 27)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On Tuesday, 27 August, Mr. Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister, visited the Republic of Djibouti. Major events, an overview and results of the visit are as follows:
1. Major Events
(1) Visit to the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) operational facility
(2) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti
(3) Courtesy call by Ms. Osman, principal of Fukuzawa Secondary School, and others concerned with Japan and Djibouti
2. Overview and Results
(1) Visit to the JSDF operational facility
Upon his arrival at Djibouti, the Prime Minister visited the JSDF operational facility. At the beginning, an explanation on the operational facility was given to the Prime Minister by the commander of the deployed Air Force. Subsequently, the Prime Minister took a meal with the members of the JSDF, inspected the facility, and gave encouragements to the members of the JSDF.
(2) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti
After his visit to the operational facility, Prime Minister Abe held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti, at the President’s office from 1:10 p.m. (local time) for approximately 50 minutes.
Prime Minister Abe expressed his pleasure in making a first-ever official visit to Djibouti as the Prime Minister of Japan and also expressed his gratitude to the President for changing his scheduled official trip overseas due to the Prime Minister’s visit. Moreover, the Prime Minister stated that Djibouti, a country located in a strategic marine transportation point, is a strategically important partner for Japan as a trading nation. He also expressed his gratitude for Djibouti’s cooperation for anti-piracy activities by the JSDF, mentioning the operation of JSDF’s operational facility is running in a smooth manner. In response to this, President Guelleh heartily welcomed the Japanese Prime Minister’s first-ever visit to Djibouti and expressed his gratitude for the Prime Minister’s choosing of Djibouti as the first country on his visit to Africa. Prime Minister Abe also expressed his gratitude for the support, such as for the donation from Djibouti in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the President’s participation in the successful Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V).
B. Bilateral relations
Prime Minister Abe stated that he was encouraged that Djibouti, a gateway to Africa, has been promoting infrastructure development, so that Djibouti can become an attractive country for the private sector. He also mentioned that the Japanese enterprises particularly value an unrestricted and safe investing environment and smooth mobilization of people and goods, and that the Government of Japan would continue its support to Djibouti. From this viewpoint, the Prime Minister also explained that the Government of Japan would steadily implement the commitments for Africa that he announced at TICAD V, such as private and public means of up to approx. JPY 3.2 trillion (equivalent to USD 32 billion), including ODA of approx. JPY 1.3 trillion (equivalent to USD 14 billion), in the next 5 years. In this regard, the Prime Minister also expressed his intention to continue supporting Djibouti as an important partner.
(ii) Electricity infrastructure
Prime Minister Abe announced a plan to implement studies for realization of geothermal power generation development through technical cooperation and for the project for improvement of electricity supply in the city of Djibouti from September this year. In response, the President expressed his gratitude.
(iii) Maritime security
To contribute to the improvement of maritime security capacities of Djibouti, Prime Minister Abe expressed its support in the field of maritime security such as implementation of study from September this year concerning supply of patrol vessels to the Coast Guard of Djibouti and dispatching of experts concerning maritime law enforcement for enhancing capabilities of the Coast Guard. In response to this, President Guelleh once again expressed his gratitude for Japan’s continuous support since the independence of Djibouti.
(3) Courtesy call by Ms. Osman, principal of Fukuzawa Secondary School, and others concerned with Japan and Djibouti
Prime Minister Abe received a courtesy call by Ms. Osman, principal of Fukuzawa Secondary School which was constructed by Japan’s grant aid. In the meeting, Prime Minister Abe gave 104 books as a present to the school as the “Abe Library.” In response, the principal expressed her deep gratitude.
B. Others
Prime Minister Abe received courtesy calls from Mr. Farah, the Honorary Consul General, and Mr. Kiyoshi Kimura, president of Kiyomura (“Sushizanmai”) Co., Ltd. Also, Prime Minister Abe received a courtesy call from members of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and offered them words of encouragement.
(END)
