London, 21 June 2023 (TDI): Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, paid a courtesy call on Denys Shmyhal, the Prime Minister of Ukraine, during his visit to London for the Ukraine Recovery Conference.
The meeting, held on June 21st, marked an important milestone in strengthening bilateral ties and addressing Ukraine’s reconstruction needs.
Minister Hayashi began by expressing his sincere respect to Prime Minister Shmyhal and the Ukrainian government for their efforts in organizing the conference. He conveyed his hope that the event would serve as a crucial step forward in the reconstruction of Ukraine.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Shmyhal provided Minister Hayashi with a detailed overview of the flood situation caused by the dam collapse at the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant. In response, Minister Hayashi announced that Japan would provide emergency humanitarian assistance totaling 5 million US dollars.
This aid would be directed towards critical areas such as food, water and sanitation, and health through reputable organizations such as WFP, UNICEF, IOM, and UNHCR.
Minister Hayashi further revealed that Japan would supply essential resources to support the recovery efforts. This included approximately 160 water purifiers, 30 drain pumps, 4,000 plastic water containers, and 20 large water tanks through JICA.
Additionally, Japan pledged to contribute 530 generators, and 30 construction machines and engage in awareness-raising activities related to mine action in collaboration with UNDP, aimed at assisting local communities.
Prime Minister Shmyhal expressed his heartfelt appreciation for Japan’s ongoing assistance, including the recent commitments made during the meeting. He also conveyed his gratitude for Japan’s support in landmine removal efforts and expressed optimism about future collaboration.
Highlighting Japan’s dedication to Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction, Minister Hayashi announced the forthcoming “Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Reconstruction.” The conference is scheduled to be held at a mutually convenient time between the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024.
The courtesy call between Minister Hayashi and Prime Minister Shmyhal reaffirmed the enduring partnership between Japan and Ukraine, showcasing Japan’s commitment to providing immediate assistance and long-term support for Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts.
