Japan seeks to boost relations with Egypt, says spokesman

CAIRO - 12 September 2017: Spokesman for the Japanese Foreign Ministry Toshihide Ando stressed his country's keenness on boosting relations with Egypt in all fields.

During a meeting with a number of journalists on Tuesday, Ando reiterated the importance of the visit currently paid by Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono to Egypt and his constructive talks with President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

President Sisi, during the meeting, extended thanks to the Japanese government for its support of development projects in Egypt, particularly in the educational field, the spokesman noted.

The Japanese government will offer a 169-million-dollar loan in support of the Japanese educational system in Egypt, as well as a grant worth one billion yens to provide the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology with necessary equipment, Kono said.

He further expressed his country's desire to play a greater role to bring about stability in the Middle East region in the coming period.

Kono stressed the need for strengthening cooperation between Egypt and Japan in the field of education and human resource development, noting that 2,500 Egyptians have been dispatched to Japan for training and study in the past period.

Japan seeks to deepen cooperation with Egypt in its capacity as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council to solve international issues, atop of which is the North Korea nuclear threat, the top Japanese diplomat said.

Japan gives priority to combating terrorism, he said, adding that his country looks forward to boosting cooperation with the Arab and Middle East countries in the economic, political and cultural fields.