[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the High Level Dialogue on Japan-France Nuclear Cooperation held at the Prime Minister's Office.

Based on the discussion in the meeting, the Prime Minister said in his address,

“Today, Prime Minister Valls has visited Japan, along with all those from companies involved with nuclear power, and reaffirmed France’s continued cooperation as a partner of Japan as we move into the future. This is a major achievement.

As we have few underground resources, nuclear power is an important energy source for both our countries in terms of security. In order to work toward economic growth and improve the safety of nuclear power around the world, it is vital that we sustain our advanced human resources and technology, and encourage the sound development of the nuclear power industry.

In strengthening our cooperation, it is vital that we improve the safety of nuclear power and bolster efforts for nuclear nonproliferation.

Japan is sharing its experiences and lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident with the international community, and is contributing to the enhancement of nuclear power safety around the world. Together with France, we hope to promote international joint research on decommissioning.

The issues surrounding nuclear power require that efforts be addressed from a global security perspective. It is important that we work to strengthen the protection of intellectual property, nonproliferation systems, and nuclear security by universalizing International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) security measures and imposing strict export controls.

President Hollande, Prime Minister Valls, and I all wish to actively contribute to global peace, security, and prosperity within our ‘special partnership.’ Nuclear power cooperation between Japan and France will accomplish that.

I expect that even in the new international environment, we will continue to work to make contributions to the world as partners with a long-standing and strong relationship of trust.”