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Statement by H.E. Mr. Yoshifumi Okamura
Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Security Council Briefing on
cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organizations (EU)
6 June 2016

 

 

 Mr. President,

 

          I would like to begin by welcoming High Representative Mogherini to the Security Council. I also thank her for her insightful and enlightening briefing.

 

          The Middle East is where both the UN and the EU play an important role. Japan, along with the EU, is determined to address the causes and consequences of the ongoing instability in the Middle East.

 

          We have been addressing not only the immediate humanitarian needs for tackling mass displacement brought on by the violent extremism, but have led long-term efforts for the return and reintegration of the refugees and building the foundations for post-conflict recovery.  In this light, on the occasion of the G7 Ise-Shima Summit held two-weeks ago, Japan announced the provision of an assistance package of approximately 6 billion dollars for the stability and human resource development in the Middle East and North Africa region from 2016 to 2018. 

 

          Furthermore, Japan reiterates its position that a political approach fortifies a durable resolution of crises of the region, as a military approach alone cannot bring a durable resolution of such crises.  We therefore reiterate our support for UN-led efforts in pursuing political solutions that achieves peace, security and unity in Syria, Libya, Yemen and settlement of other crises of the region.

 

Mr. President,

 

          Japan and the EU are strategic partners based on common values such as democracy, freedom human rights and the rule of law. Our partnership is comprehensive in nature and we cooperate in various fields, including peace and security, economy and global issues.

 

          Regarding peace and security cooperation, Japan and the EU recently conducted joint programs in Africa to improve security situations. I would like to take as an example our cooperation in Mali, where the security situations are very unstable. While the EU provided training for the Malian gendarmerie, police and national guard under the framework of EU-CAP Sahel, Japan provided the assistance of refurbishment of existing facilities, provision in equipment and capacity building of trainers in the security sector of Mali in order to contribute to the enhancement of training capabilities provided by the EU.

 

          Another example is Somalia, which also faces big security challenges. Japan and the EU have been jointly providing salaries of Somali security officers. Niger is important, too, to prevent the flow of insecurity in the Sahel region. Japan provided radio equipment and vehicles with such equipment to integral command centers of Niger to which the EU provides training of capacity building. I hope that these cooperation programs between Japan and the EU will contribute to the better security in the above-mentioned countries and the entire region.

 

          Finally, Mr. President, Japan values cooperation between the EU and the United Nations under the framework of the Chapter VIII of the UN Charter. I hope that the EU will continue to play an important role in the field of peace and security.

 

I thank you, Mr. President.