Rabat – Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Hayashi Yoshimasa has expressed his regret about Morocco’s absence from the Japan-Africa summit in Tunis, stating that his country wants to consolidate bilateral cooperation with Rabat.
Speaking on Friday during a video conference with his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita, Yoshimasa underlined that Japan does not recognize the Polisario Front’s self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).
These latest comments come after Japan denounced Tunisia’s unilateral invitation of the separatist leader Brahim Ghali, stressing in an August 28 statement that “the presence of any entity, which Japan does not recognize as a sovereign state at TICAD 8 meetings, including the Senior Officials Meeting and the Summit Meeting, does not affect the position of Japan regarding the status of this entity.”
Read Also: More African Countries Regret Morocco’s Absence from TICAD
In his video-conference with Bourita, Yoshimasa and his Moroccan counterpart recalled the “longstanding excellent relations of both countries based on the friendship between the Japanese Imperial Family and the Moroccan Royal Family.”
They especially welcomed the entry into force of the Japan-Morocco Investment Agreement and Tax Convention which were signed in April, stressing the need to encourage Japanese companies to enter the Moroccan market.
Yoshimasa also highlighted Japan’s interest in promoting socio-economic development in Morocco through the provision of a 22 billion yen loan (MAD 1.6 billion or $156 million) for the education sector. In addition, the top Japanese diplomat urged Morocco to secure a stable supply of ammonium phosphate to boost the country’s agricultural production and protect its food security.
Besides discussing bilateral relations, the two diplomats called for cooperation within the international bodies to address the ongoing Ukraine war and North Korea’s nuclear, missile, and abduction cases.
Bilateral cooperation between Rabat and Tokyo is expected to extend to Japan’s Africa policy, with Morocco serving as a gateway to the continent.
In August, Ryuichi Kato, vice president of the Japan Investment Development Agency (JICA) said that Morocco is a “very important country” and partner, adding that cooperation between Rabat and Seoul “will …create [added] values [in Africa].”
Read Also: Japan Wishes to Advance Economic Relations with Morocco
