Addis Ababa September 02/2018 Japan welcomed the ongoing reforms in Ethiopia and its recent rapprochement with Eritrea, according to Kentaro Sonoura, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Afework Kassu on Saturday held discussions with Kentaro Sonoura on ways of advancing the bilateral relationship between Ethiopia and Japan, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Special Advisor said “Japan welcomes reforms happening in Ethiopia and its recent rapprochement with Eritrea.” He also praised Ethiopia’s role in South Sudan’s peace process.
Japan continues to engage in sustaining peace and stability in the horn of Africa, he said, adding that “my government would strengthen its support to the IGAD mechanism to bring lasting peace in the region, and we would consider supports to address problems related with refugees’ management.”
The two sides discussed at length on ways of advancing the bilateral relationship.
State Minister Afework said on his part that Ethiopia and Japan have enjoyed long years of diplomatic relationships.
“Our diplomatic relation is very rich and matured which presents wider opportunities for our political and economic cooperation,” he noted.
Japan’s support for Ethiopia in the areas of infrastructural development, human resource development and the industrial policy dialogue among others, the state minister pointed out.
The two sides have also discussed on ways of cooperating further at the various multilateral platforms including the issue of reforming the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
ENA