Countries & Regions

On June 1, for around 15 minutes from 1:20pm, Mr. Masaji Matsuyama, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs had a meeting with H.E. Mr. Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, in Yokohama, Japan. The following is the gist of the meeting. President Ouedraogo is visiting Japan to participate in the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development held from June 1 to June 3, and he would deliver a leading speech in the “Thematic Session V on Enhancement of Peacebuilding” on June 2.

1. At the beginning, Vice Minister Matsuyama welcomed President Ouedraogo’s visit to Japan, followed after his visit in October last year and expressed his appreciation for great contribution made by ECOWAS to the TICAD process including President Ouedraogo’s participation as a leading speaker to the “Thematic Session V on Enhancement of Peacebuilding” held on June 2. He also stated that Japan would continue to cooperate closely with ECOWAS to further strengthen relationship between Japan and the ECOWAS. He remarked that Japan highly evaluated proactive efforts made by ECOWAS for peace and security in West Africa, and would continue to provide support for Africa’s own efforts toward the realization of peace and security in Africa.
2. In response, President Ouedraogo expressed his intention to further contribute to the enhancement of Japan-ECOWAS relationship through the TICAD process. He also appreciated the amount of 120 million US dollars assistance from Japan for humanitarian assistance, maintenance of security and governance in the Sahel region, which Vice Minister Matsuyama had announced in Mali as well as 6 million US dollars assistance to the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA). Vice Minister Matsuyama stated that Japan had decided on the provision of about 16 million US dollars new assistance for counter-terrorism and capacity building of maintaining security in the Sahel region. In response, President Ouedraogo explained efforts made by ECOWAS for the stabilization of the West Africa region and expressed his appreciation for Japan’s assistance and expectations for further efforts.