Eritrea Foreign Minister on working visit Japan, meets with Japan Foreign Minister

Minister Kono welcomed Minister Osman’s visit to Japan and welcomed the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia in July for the first time in 20 years.

On March 28, commencing at around 00:00 p.m. for approximately one hour, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Eritrea, who was making a working visit to Japan upon invitation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The overview is as follows.

1. Minister Kono welcomed Minister Osman’s visit to Japan and welcomed the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia in July for the first time in 20 years. Minister Kono also expressed that Japan as the host country of the 7th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) taking place in August, recognizes the peace and stability of Horn of Africa region as one of the most important topics for Africa’s peace and stability, and would continue its support in the Horn of Africa region and South Sudan where Japan is supporting its peace process together with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

2. In response, Minister Osman expressed his gratitude and hope for Japan’s contribution to Eritrea and to the peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region.

3. The two Ministers confirmed their collaboration to enhance the cooperative relationship between the two countries, and to cooperate for the success of TICAD7.

4. Both Ministers also exchanged views regarding issues in the international arena, such as the North Korea situation and the United Nations Security Council reform.

(With Inputs from APO)