Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japanese and Tunisian foreign ministers on March 27 agreed to make TICAD 8 to be held in August in Tunisia, an opportunity to set out a pathway for African development looking ahead to the post- COVID-19 period.

In a video call, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi raised the need to address the issue of transparency and fairness in development finance. In response, Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs Othman Jerandi expressed his hope for close cooperation with Japan to succeed TICAD 8.

According to a statement by the foreign ministry in Tokyo, Hayashi also stated that “Russia’s aggression” against Ukraine is a unilateral change of the status quo by force that shakes the very foundations of the international order and thus is unacceptable and expressed his desire to continue working together with Tunisia.

In response, Jerandi expressed his deep concern about the situation in Ukraine. The ministers confirmed that they would closely coordinate on the matter.

Concerning bilateral relations, Hayashi expressed his hope for Tunisia’s current political reforms to advance with broad public support and procedural transparency and Japan’s will to continue to assist in the economic and social stabilization in Tunisia.

The Tunisian counterpart expressed his appreciation for all the support extended by Japan to date for the development of Tunisia. The Ministers also concurred on the importance of establishing a legal framework creating a favorable investment environment to encourage Japanese companies further to expand their business in Tunisia, the ministry said. In addition, the Ministers affirmed that they would continue to coordinate in dealing with North Korea, including its latest launch of an ICBM-class ballistic missile on March 24 and the abductions issue.

Similarly. Japan and Egypt’s foreign ministers agreed to boost bilateral cooperation in time for TICAD 8 in August. In a video call held separately on March 27, Hayashi expressed his desire to seize such opportunities as the COP27 under the Egyptian presidency further to promote cooperation in a wide range of areas, the foreign ministry in Tokyo said. In addition, Hayashi raised the need to address the issue of unfair and opaque development finance.

In response, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry expressed his appreciation for all the support extended by Japan for Egypt’s development and expressed his desire to continue deepening cooperation in African development and climate change, according to the ministry.

Both sides also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and North Africa, including the Middle East Peace and Libya, and concurred to continue cooperating in the international arena toward stability in the region.

Japan initiated the Tokyo International Conference on African Development” (TICAD ) in 1993 for supporting the political and economic reform in Africa and evoking the attention of international society toward Africa.