Joint press statement by the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso after their meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe in the margins of the G8 Summit

EU News 293/2013

European Council
The President
Lough Erne, 17 June 2013

We are pleased to have had the opportunity to meet Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the margins of the G8 Summit at Lough Erne. It was our first meeting.

We discussed the relations between the European Union and Japan. In particular, we noted progress in our parallel negotiations for a Strategic Partnership Agreement and a Free Trade Agreement, both launched on 25 March 2013. We agreed that these agreements will be crucial, in terms of their expected substantial positive impact on growth and employment in both the EU and Japan and their positive impact on our relations overall.

We reiterated the importance of our partnership in supporting global economic growth and stability. We exchanged views on the measures, the new Japanese government is taking to stimulate the economy, including structural reforms; and on the progress made in the EU to ensure sustainable growth, backed by sound public finance and a healthy financial system.

We also exchanged views on international developments, including regional security in East Asia. We look forward to the 21st EU-Japan Summit to be held in Japan in 2013 to further advance our bilateral relationship and our cooperation in addressing regional and global challenges.

Source and additional information:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/137503.pdf

EU - Japan bilateral meeting Date: 17/06/2013 Reference: P-023520/00-48 (C)EU, 2013 URL

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