Tokyo, Japan — On August 27, for about two hours from 18:30, Mr. Koichiro Gemba, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a meeting and a dinner at Iikura House with H.E. Mr. Djibril Yipènè Bassole, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation of Burkina Faso, who is visiting Japan as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two ministers exchanged views on bilateral relations, cooperation in international arena, and other issues. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

Minister Gemba stated in the opening that he would like to use the opportunity of Minister Bassolé’s visit to Japan to further strengthen bilateral relations. In response, Minister Bassolé paid his respect to Japan’s effort to keep implementing its international commitment even after the Great East Japan Earthquake which had hit Japan last year, expressed his gratitude to Japan’s assistance for Burkina Faso, and stated his appreciation for TICAD process led by Japan.

In reply, Minister Gemba expressed his gratitude to the Senior Officials Preparatory Meeting for TICAD V which will be held in Burkina Faso in November at Minister Bassolé’s suggestion, and showed its expectation for President Compaoré’s participation for TICAD V which will be held next June in Japan. Furthermore, both ministers exchanged their opinions on Japan’s economic cooperation with Burkina Faso, and potentiality of facilitating private investment from Japan to Burkina Faso.

Also, Minister Bassolé, who has been working for mediation for the stability of situation in Mali, explained the situation in Mali. Minister Bassolé further shared the manners to resolve the border conflicts and the vision for regional integration in West Africa where Burkina Faso is located. In response, Minister Gemba expressed his recognition for Burkina Faso’s effort for the stabilization of the situation in Mali, and expressed Japan’s intention to support Africa’s own efforts for peace and stability and for regional integration.

In this respect, Minister Bassolé, who had served as Joint African Union – United Nations Chief Mediator for Darfur, expressed his appreciation for Japan’s support for Darfur. With respect to situation in Sudan and South Sudan, Minister Gemba explained that Japan has provided assistance for both Sudan and South Sudan in a balanced manner, and appealed to ministers of Sudan and South Sudan for the importance of peaceful coexistence of both countries.

Furthermore, two ministers exchanged their views on issues in international arena, including the early realization of the United Nations Security Council reform and the Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Image Courtesy of   U.S.-Japan Council

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