Japan-Comoros Summit Video Conference Meeting
August 26, 2022
[Provisional translation]
On August 26, commencing at 6:20 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan held a summit video teleconference meeting with H.E. Mr. AZALI Assoumani, President of the Union of the Comoros, who is visiting Tunisia to attend the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8). The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida told President Azali, that he regretted that he would not be able to participate in the meeting in person, but he hoped to lead TICAD 8 to a success with the cooperation of President Azali. Prime Minister Kishida stated that Comoros, located at a key junction in the Indian Ocean, is essential in realizing the Free and Open Indo-Pacific and that Japan is implementing a project on nutrition improvement for infants in Comoros. In response, President Azali conveyed his condolence to former Prime Minister Abe and expressed his appreciation for Japan's extensive support for the development of Comoros, recognizing Japan's actions through TICAD to date. The both sides confirmed to work for further development of bilateral relations, based on the outcome of TICAD 8.
2. Prime Minister Kishida then stated that it is essential for the international community to cooperate in its response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and that, Japan intends to continue contributing to strengthening food security in Africa. Expressing his concern about the situation in Ukraine and the conflict between the major nations, President Azali stated that he believes Japan, with its various experiences, can play a role in easing the conflicts. Prime Minister Kishida also stressed the importance of transparency and fairness of development finance and the two ministers confirmed to cooperate with each other.
3. Furthermore, the two sides shared the view to continue to work together in responding to regional and international issues, such as North Korea, including on the nuclear, missile, and abductions issues, disarmament and non-proliferation including cooperation in maintaining and strengthening the NPT regime and strengthening of the functions of the United Nations as a whole, including the Security Council reform.
1. At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida told President Azali, that he regretted that he would not be able to participate in the meeting in person, but he hoped to lead TICAD 8 to a success with the cooperation of President Azali. Prime Minister Kishida stated that Comoros, located at a key junction in the Indian Ocean, is essential in realizing the Free and Open Indo-Pacific and that Japan is implementing a project on nutrition improvement for infants in Comoros. In response, President Azali conveyed his condolence to former Prime Minister Abe and expressed his appreciation for Japan's extensive support for the development of Comoros, recognizing Japan's actions through TICAD to date. The both sides confirmed to work for further development of bilateral relations, based on the outcome of TICAD 8.
2. Prime Minister Kishida then stated that it is essential for the international community to cooperate in its response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and that, Japan intends to continue contributing to strengthening food security in Africa. Expressing his concern about the situation in Ukraine and the conflict between the major nations, President Azali stated that he believes Japan, with its various experiences, can play a role in easing the conflicts. Prime Minister Kishida also stressed the importance of transparency and fairness of development finance and the two ministers confirmed to cooperate with each other.
3. Furthermore, the two sides shared the view to continue to work together in responding to regional and international issues, such as North Korea, including on the nuclear, missile, and abductions issues, disarmament and non-proliferation including cooperation in maintaining and strengthening the NPT regime and strengthening of the functions of the United Nations as a whole, including the Security Council reform.
