“Ethiopia is our major trade partner,” Ambassador Keitaro Sato
 

By Tamiru Geda

H.E Keitaro Sato, ambassador in charge of conflict and refugee related issues in Africa said his government is keen to work closely with Ethiopia as partners.
He was speaking at a press conference held yesterday at the Hilton hotel on ‘The Third International Conference on African Development’ (TICAD III) that would be held in Tokyo from September 29 to 1st October 2003.
He expressed his strong concern for the success of the conference that envisages promoting a good partnership with African countries where there is less capital but potential resource is available. Ethiopia, he said, is one of the major trade partners with his government.
Under the TICAD III program, African countries lined to benefit from the program would get support in capacity building. He explained that Japan involves in conflict resolution programs considering that “consolidation of peace” is an essential platform for development and one of the priority areas of cooperation with Africa.
He underscored that his country would not send military men to war zones, but would involve in conflict resolution programs.
The program also aims to consolidate international support for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, NEPAD. Promotion of “South-South” cooperation is also one of the program’s aims.
Some African countries including Senegal, Ghana, and Uganda have been nominated to launch the pilot project of the TICAD program.