Japan-Moldova Summit Meeting, and Japan-Senegal Summit Meeting and Working Lunch

On December 3, 2022, Mr. Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, held a Summit Meeting with H.E. Ms. Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova, who visited Japan to participate in the World Assembly for Women (WAW!2022). In addition, On December 19, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio held a Japan-Senegal Summit Meeting with H.E. Mr. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, who was on an official working visit to Japan. Following the joint press announcement, the two leaders held a working lunch. The two leaders also issued the Japan-Senegal Joint Statement. Overviews of the meetings are as follows:

Japan-Moldova Summit Meeting

At the beginning of the meeting, Prime Minister Kishida expressed his gratitude to President Sandu, the first female president of Moldova, for her participation in WAW! and his expectations for meaningful discussions at the meeting. President Sandu expressed her gratitude for being invited to the conference and willingness to contribute to the dialogue through sharing the experience of Moldova.

Prime Minister Kishida showed the appreciation for the efforts made by Moldova in accepting displaced people following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine amounting to a number which exceeds more than 20% of Moldova’s population. Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan has decided to provide additional assistance with a value of approximately 27 million USD in the areas of health, food, energy, gender, etc. to Moldova, which is under a heavy burden caused by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Referring to the requested financial support, Prime Minister Kishida mentioned that Japan will seriously consider the possibility of such assistance based on the current situation in Moldova.

In response, President Sandu expressed her appreciation for Japan’s multi-sectoral assistance to Moldova since its independence, as well as for the ongoing assistance or those under consideration following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The expectation of further investment by Japanese companies was shown. Moreover, President Sandu explained about the difficult challenges in the economy and energy which Moldova is currently facing.

Japan-Senegal Summit Meeting and Working Lunch

Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan and Senegal are strategically important partners that share fundamental values such as democracy and the rule of law. He also expressed his gratitude for President Sall’s contribution as co-chair at the Eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 8) and his willingness to lead the outcome of TICAD 8 to the further strengthening of Japan-Africa relations.

In response, President Sall expressed his desire to further advance bilateral relations in various fields and work closely together in the international community.

Bilateral relations

The two leaders affirmed to promote further efforts regarding, among others, the investment and expansion of Japanese companies including start-ups and in the area of natural resources development, “invest in people,” which Japan considers important, achievement of universal health coverage (UHC). They shared the view that the two countries will continue to build the comprehensive relationship through development cooperation, the promotion of business and people-to-people exchanges.

Cooperation in the international arena

Prime Minister Kishida emphasized that unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force must not be tolerated anywhere in the world, and that a united response by the international community is necessary. Prime Minister Kishida then stated that Japan is promoting efforts toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” and would like to cooperate with Senegal.

The two leaders confirmed that the situation in Ukraine that has led to worldwide food and energy crises must be stopped immediately. Prime Minister Kishida stated that, as Japan is the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings during war, Russia’s nuclear threat is absolutely unacceptable, and that Russia should never use nuclear weapons under any circumstances.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Kishida announced that Japan supports the joining of the African Union to G20, based on the belief that it is important for Africa to expand its presence in the G20 in light of the increasing role of African countries in the international community in recent years.

The two leaders shared their view that it is essential to strengthen the functions of the United Nations, including the Security Council reform. Prime Minister Kishida also expressed his gratitude for Senegal’s support for the draft resolution on the elimination of nuclear weapons adopted in the Plenary Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly.

The two leaders shared the view that a realistic energy transition is important and that they will continue to work closely together. The two leaders also discussed regional and international issues such as the response to economic coercion and development finance, the response to North Korea, nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation as well as peace and security in Africa, and they affirmed the continued cooperation of the two countries.

Note: This article was created with the consent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and on the basis of materials published by the Ministry.