Japan-Comoros Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Minister Hayashi offered his congratulations on Comoros’ assumption of the Chair of the African Union (AU)

TOKYO, Japan, March 3, 2023/ — On March 3, commencing at 11:00 a.m. (local time: same day, 2:30 p.m. JST) for approximately 50 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting New Delhi, India to attend the Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. DHOIHIR Dhoulkamal, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in charge of Diaspora and Francophony of the Union of Comoros. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

1. At the outset, Minister Hayashi offered his congratulations on Comoros’ assumption of the Chair of the African Union (AU). Minister Hayashi stated that this year marks the 30th anniversary of TICAD, and expressed his intention to contribute to sustainable development of Comoros by following up on the outcome of the Eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 8), towards the realization of “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)”. In response, Minister Dhoihir thanked Japan’s words of congratulations and appreciated Japan for its assistance to date. He also said that the Comoros, as a maritime country, hopes to further develop the Japan-Comoros relationship in the future, including in the areas of fisheries and waste management. The two sides also agreed to strengthen coordination between the AU and the G7 in order to achieve international peace and security.
2. Minister Hayashi stated that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is outrageous act that shakes the very foundation of the international order. He welcomed the fact that Comoros voted in favor of UN resolutions related to Ukraine adopted on February 23 and stated that it is important for the international community as a whole to send a clear message to Russia that we are seriously concerned about Russia’s nuclear threat, which is absolutely unacceptable, let alone its use of nuclear weapons. Minister Dhoihir responded that aggression is unacceptable, Africa is also affected by the situation in Ukraine, and as the AU Presidency, the Comoros will make efforts so that Africa can firmly respond to the situation. The two sides also agreed that the two countries agreed to work closely together to resolve the dispute as soon as possible.
3. The two sides also exchanged views, and confirmed that they will continue to work closely together, on various subjects, such as the UN Security Council reform, unfair and opaque development finance, regional situation in East Asia, such as on dealing with North Korea including on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue, and nuclear disarmament.