Japan Offers Support To Mauritius Over Oil Spill
Japan's Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu has pledged to help Mauritius restore the country's ecosystem which was damaged by an oil spill from a Japanese cargo ship that went aground in July.
Motegi talked with Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth by telephone on Monday.
Motegi told Jugnauth that he takes the oil spill seriously. He said Japan will work for safe navigation, a recovery in the ecosystem, and provide fishery equipment as part of efforts for an economic recovery in Mauritius.
Motegi said the cooperation will be of an unprecedented scale and include financial support. Japan has already sent disaster relief teams.
Jugnauth expressed gratitude for Japan's offer. He said he does not think Japan is responsible for the accident, and thanked Japan for its cooperation.
After the talks, Motegi told reporters that Japan's package of support measures has almost been finalized and he outlined it in his conversation with the Mauritian prime minister.
He said they agreed to work closely together for an environmental restoration and economic recovery. Motegi also said he wants to quickly proceed with supplying equipment to fishermen.
