Countries & Regions
Japan-Sao Tome and Principe Foreign Ministerial Meeting
June 1, 2013
On June 1, for about 15 minutes from 10:30am, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Foreign Minister had a meeting with H.E. Mrs. Natalia Pedro da Costa Umbelina Neto, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Corporation and Communities of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, in Yokohama. The following is the gist of the meeting. Minister Umbelina Neto is visiting Japan to participate in the 5th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) held from June 1 to June 3.
1. At the beginning, Foreign Minister Kishida welcomed the first visit of Minister Umbelina Neto to Japan and expressed his hope for development both in Africa and Japan in the wake of the TICAD V, which marks the 20th anniversary of the TICAD process. In response, Minister Umbelina Neto offered her congratulations on TICAD V which is being held in this commemorable year for both Japan and Africa, and expressed her sincere gratitude for Japan’s support for Sao Tome and Principe to date.
2. Minister Kishida welcomed the peaceful implementation of the 2011 presidential election in Sao Tome and Principe and recognized the smooth management of the country after the election under the leadership of President Pinto da Costa. Kishida also stated that Japan would consider provision of further food assistance. In response, Minister Umbelina Neto stressed that food assistance from Japan is essential for Sao Tome and Principe and conveyed President Pinto da Costa’s gratitude for support from Japan in the implementation of the presidential election. She also expressed her expectation for Japan’s support in various other fields such as fishery and human resources development.
3. The two parties also exchanged opinions on the cooperation in the international arena, including development in Africa.
1. At the beginning, Foreign Minister Kishida welcomed the first visit of Minister Umbelina Neto to Japan and expressed his hope for development both in Africa and Japan in the wake of the TICAD V, which marks the 20th anniversary of the TICAD process. In response, Minister Umbelina Neto offered her congratulations on TICAD V which is being held in this commemorable year for both Japan and Africa, and expressed her sincere gratitude for Japan’s support for Sao Tome and Principe to date.
2. Minister Kishida welcomed the peaceful implementation of the 2011 presidential election in Sao Tome and Principe and recognized the smooth management of the country after the election under the leadership of President Pinto da Costa. Kishida also stated that Japan would consider provision of further food assistance. In response, Minister Umbelina Neto stressed that food assistance from Japan is essential for Sao Tome and Principe and conveyed President Pinto da Costa’s gratitude for support from Japan in the implementation of the presidential election. She also expressed her expectation for Japan’s support in various other fields such as fishery and human resources development.
3. The two parties also exchanged opinions on the cooperation in the international arena, including development in Africa.