The Republic of Seychelles is under the jurisdiction of the Embassy of Japan in Kenya
Remarks by H.E Tatsushi Terada, Ambassador between the Government of the Republic Seychelles and the Government of Japan, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Seychelles, on the occasion of the signing ceremony of the Memorandum on the conditions of transfer of suspected pirates and seized property to, and their treatment in the Republic of Seychelles (18th December 2014)
Hon. Mr. Joel Morgan, Minister for Home Affairs and Transport,
Colonel Clifford Roseline, Chief of Staff of Seychelles’ People’s Defense Forces
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning.
As the Japanese Ambassador to Seychelles, it is indeed my great honour to be able to attend the signing ceremony of the Memorandum between the Government of the Republic of Seychelles and Government of Japan on the conditions of transfer of suspected pirates and seized property and their treatment in the Republic of Seychelles. I would like to thank both the Government of Seychelles and the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force for organising this wonderful event. First and foremost, I want to emphasise the fact that being able to sign the Memorandum on board the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force vessel signifies both Japan and Seychelles’s strong commitment to tackle piracy and secure stability in the region.
In order for all of us present to revisit the significance of this signing ceremony, let me briefly touch upon the history of cooperation between Japan and Seychelles went through together in tackling piracy. The year 2009 saw a sharp rise in the number of piracy incidents off the Coast of Somalia, which posed a clear threat to the maritime shipping route connecting Asia, Africa and Europe. It goes without saying that safety of navigation is vital for the prosperity of international community as a whole, and in particular, island states which depend heavily on maritime trade. Therefore, it is natural for Japan and Seychelles to cooperate in their efforts to tackle piracy.
Against this backdrop, Japan enacted the law which criminalises the acts of piracy and enables Japan’s naval vessels to protect any ship from pirates regardless of her flag. Since 2009, two Japan Maritime Self Defence Force destroyers have engaged in escort operations, protecting more than 3600 ships in 600 escort missions. Similarly, two P-3C maritime patrol aircrafts based in Djibouti have completed more than 1200 mission flights.
However, providing protection to vessels from pirates is not a fundamental solution to the issue of piracy. As correctly highlighted during TICAD V in Yokohama in 2013, eradication of piracy would require a comprehensive solution, including a mechanism which brings those who committed piracy to justice. It was in this context that, in 2011, the Government of Seychelles, with the understanding of the need to take a multi-faceted approach in addressing the threat of piracy, agreed to start negotiation with Japan to sign the Memorandum which establishes the procedures according to which the Japanese authority transfers pirates to the Seychellois authority on certain conditions. I would like to commend both Japanese and Seychellois officials who have made strenuous efforts for the past three years to give shape to this Memorandum. Indeed, the Memorandum embodies Japan and Seychelles’ joint-determination to secure the sea from pirates.
Finally, with close coordination with Seychelles, Japan will continue to engage in anti-piracy activities with the ultimate aim of eradicating piracy from the region. I believe that the signing of Memorandum brought us one step closer to achieving this grand objective. Let us hope that today will form the foundation of ever-closer relationship between Japan and Seychelles. Thank you very much.
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