Official Statements

Japan-Djibouti Summit and Foreign Ministers' Meetings

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Tokyo- The Foreign Ministry of Japan issued the following statements on the Japan-Djibouti Summit and Foreign Ministers' meetings:

Japan-Djibouti Summit Meeting

On December 20 (Mon.), for about 70 minutes from 6:30 p.m., Prime Minister Naoto Kan had a meeting at the Prime Minister's Office with H. E. Mr. Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti, who is on a working visit to Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

1.Prime Minister Kan noted that Djibouti, in light of its location at the key junction of the sea route connecting Europe and Asia, is strategically an extremely important partner for Japan, which is largely dependent on trade. In addition, he thanked Djibouti for its cooperation with Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (SDF), which are stationed and active in Djibouti to counter piracy off the coast of Somalia.

Prime Minister Kan further explained that Japan intends to extend active support in the fields of water, energy, and education to Djibouti, which is a stabilizing force in the Horn of Africa, in order to improve the basic living standards in the country.

2.In response, President Guelleh expressed a deep gratitude to Japan’s assistance to the country, and said that the Government of Djibouti will continue supporting the SDF’s activities.

3.The two leaders exchanged views on regional affairs, such as Somalia and further shared the view that they will continue cooperating on other international issues such as the reform of the United Nations Security Council.


Meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Seiji Maehara and His Excellency Mr. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Djibouti

On December 20 (Mon.), for approximately 50 minutes from 4:00p.m., Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Seiji Maehara had a meeting with H. E. Mr. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Djibuouti, who is visiting Japan as the chief delegate of the delegation of the Working Visit of His Excellency Mr. Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti. The overview is as follows.

1.Prior to the meeting, both ministers signed the Exchange of Notes of a Non-Project Grand Aid (300 million Yen) for the Republic of Djibouti, and exchanged the documents regarding the Technical Agreement for the Transfer of Pirates.

2.The overview of the meeting following the above is as follows.

(1) Minister Maehara noted that Djibouti, in light of its location at the key junction of the sea route connecting Europe and Asia, is strategically an extremely important partner for Japan, which is largely dependent on trade. In addition, he thanked Djibouti for its cooperation with Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (SDF), which are stationed and active in Djibouti since March last year to counter piracy off the coast of Somalia.
Minister Mahehara further explained that Japan intends to extend active support in the fields of water, energy, and education to Djibouti, which is a stabilizing force in the Horn of Africa, in order to improve the basic living standards in the country. He also expressed the willingness to hold an annual economic policy meeting on a regular basis for both sides to confirm the cooperation policy and priority areas.

(2) In response, Minister Youssouf expressed gratitude to Japan’s assistance to the country, including the Non-Project Grant Aid signed today, and said that the Government of Djibouti will continue supporting the SDF’s activities.

(3) Furthermore, both ministers exchanged views on regional affairs, such as the Horn of Africa. Both sides further shared the view that they will continue cooperating on international issues, such as the reform of the United Nations Security Council.

Photo: Japanese Cabinet Public Relations Office

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Official Statements