Arab News Japan

TOKYO: The Diplomatic Missions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to Japan paid a courtesy call on Japanese Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA Yoko on Wednesday to discuss relations with Japan and preparations for TICAD 9 next year.

Kamikawa paid tribute to the ECOWAS diplomatic missions for their ongoing efforts to strengthen relations with Japan and gave an overview of Japan’s initiatives for peace and stability in the Sahel region and the coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea.

The Foreign Minister also mentioned Japan’s support for Africa’s development through TICAD for more than 30 years. She said the TICAD Ministerial Meeting in August this year will be held to support Africa’s internal transformation and strengthen cooperation with African countries to reinforce global governance, emphasizing the rule of law.

Liberian Ambassador Blamoh Nelson, the Dean of the ECOWAS Diplomatic Missions to Japan, expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the role Japan is playing in the development of West Africa. He voiced his expectations that relations between Japan and the ECOWAS countries could be developed from various perspectives, including increased Japanese investment and cooperation on human resources.

In closing, Kamikawa stated that Japan will continue to emphasize dialogue with each country and work closely with ECOWAS countries, both bilaterally and internationally.

ECOWAS is comprised of 15 West African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo) and was established in 1975 as a sub-regional organization to promote regional economic integration in West Africa.